The regional president has voiced concerns about the implementation of the agreement, approved in 2024, which could extend controls on migrants for up to six months. This measure, outlined in the Triage Regulation, might overwhelm the islands' resources and transform them into a "detention center," as stated in the Parliament of the Canary Islands.
“"We would like there to be preliminary work before the conference, and not to be given a document like lentils, where you either take it or leave it."
The archipelago opposes policies that allow wealthier countries to pay to avoid hosting migrants, redirecting them to border nations. In this regard, emphasis has been placed on the need to respect human rights. The situation on the islands, particularly in places like El Hierro, could worsen with the arrival of more migrants, including unaccompanied minors, who have already strained reception capacities.
Following the conference, the president of the Canarian Government plans to meet with spokespersons from the regional Chamber to establish a unified territorial position. This initiative seeks to address the "unknowns and gaps" the pact presents for border regions, following the consensus model achieved in other migration aspects, such as the distribution of minors, within the framework of the Canarian Pact for Migration.
Furthermore, there has been criticism regarding the lack of coordination with both the Spanish Government and the European Union in drafting the pact, labeling it an "indecent model." The absence of preliminary work and the lack of debate on concrete proposals presented at presidential conferences have also been highlighted, seen as an example of "poor" migration policy that generates tension and overlooks the human dimension of the phenomenon.
Separately, the regional president addressed the extraordinary administrative regularization process for migrants, which began a week ago. He advocated for greater planning and coordination with autonomous communities and municipalities to prevent situations like the "queues of shame" for vulnerability certificates, which depend on municipal corporations. Although the process aims to offer a "future option" to individuals, it has been described as an "expression of the failure of migration policy and border control."
