Minister Sira Rego has pointed to the Canarian government for "confusing" the public about the conclusion of the extraordinary migratory contingency that allowed for the distribution of unaccompanied minor migrants to other autonomous communities. Rego stated on social media that the regional executive perfectly understands the measure's functioning and reproached them for "irresponsible statements," urging them to act with "institutional loyalty".
This declaration responds to criticisms from the Canarian government, which accused the minister of wanting to end the contingency without the figures of migrant minors justifying it. The Minister of Presidency, Nieves Lady Barreto, expressed Canarias' "rejection" of this decision following Rego's visit to Lanzarote, where she announced the convening of the islands to determine the "best moment" to conclude the exceptional situation.
Rego explained that the reform of Article 35 of the Foreigners Law establishes a "binding and solidarity-based" reception mechanism for unaccompanied migrant children, which is activated when a territory triples its ordinary capacity, as has occurred in the Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla.
The minister detailed that if the Canary Islands cease to exceed this threshold in the coming months, the law will mandate lifting the contingency. "The reason is clear: in the coming months, the number of migrant children and adolescents in care will cease to triple their ordinary capacity. This, by law, requires lifting the migratory contingency," stated Rego, emphasizing the Ministry's goal to coordinate with the islands to manage this process "in the best possible way".
The head of Childhood defended the notable improvement in the situation, attributing it to the processing of over 2,000 files and the referral mechanism to other communities. She also recalled that the islands have begun to close reception centers.
Rego vindicated the central government's role in managing the migratory crisis and recalled that the PP, CC's governing partner, voted against the measure.
