Candelaria Delgado, the Minister of Social Welfare, Equality, Youth, Childhood, and Families for the Government of the Canary Islands, on Monday urged the central government to clarify how the pact's implementation, starting June 12, will affect the archipelago. Delgado warned that the regional government would not tolerate its development turning the islands into a detention facility for migrants.
“"What we want from the Spanish State is for them to tell us exactly how [the community pact] affects us and if the interests of the Canary Islands are being defended in this European pact."
The minister stressed that Spain must ensure that the Canary Islands do not become a one-way entry point to European territory for those arriving on the islands. These statements were made prior to the opening of the Canarian Immigration Forum, a consultative body that brings together administrations and social entities working with the migrant population.
Meanwhile, Juan Carlos Lorenzo, coordinator of the Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR) in the Canary Islands, warned about the lack of detailed information on how the new system will operate. His concern focuses on initial reception, the analysis of asylum applications, and waiting areas for the return of individuals denied protection. Lorenzo highlighted the risk that return might not be an option, potentially transforming the Canary Islands into a "retention space."
“"There is a risk that return will not be an option, and therefore, the Canary Islands will become a retention space."
During the Forum, the future state royal decree for the extraordinary regularization of migrants was also discussed. Delgado explained that the Canarian Government is working on creating an information and support network to ensure that no one entitled to regularize their situation is excluded from the process due to lack of information or documentation. This network will include social entities, trade unions, migrant associations, universities, and public administrations.
Additionally, the celebration of the Canarian Migration Day on September 10 in Lanzarote was highlighted, preceded by the III Migradmi Congress. This event aims to showcase good reception practices developed in the archipelago and emphasize the need for a common migration policy led by the State and supported by the autonomous communities.
