The controversy surrounding the transfer of unaccompanied migrant minors is intensifying. The refusal of Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Community of Madrid, to accept young people from areas with high migratory pressure such as Canarias, Ceuta, and Melilla, could destabilize the Childhood Sectoral Conference scheduled for tomorrow. This position, communicated to the Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres, could set a precedent for other communities governed by the Popular Party, once again blocking the minor relocation system.

The State convened the autonomous communities to discuss the extension of the relocation system, whose deadline expired on March 19. The objectives of the royal decree were not fully met, as none of the border regions managed to overcome the contingency situation, and all continue to operate above their reception capacity.

The Community of Madrid has used the expiration of the deadline to oppose new transfers, citing a lack of “legal coverage” and warning the central government of legal action if the extraordinary distribution system among communities is extended.

Minister Torres responded to Madrid's president, Díaz Ayuso, via a statement, asserting that the relocation mechanism remains valid and must be applied as long as the contingency situation persists. Torres highlighted the system as a “historic milestone” and praised the collaboration of most autonomous communities and cities, ensuring its implementation has been carried out “with absolute normality” and without disruptions to coexistence.

For its part, Canarias will attend the meeting with a clear message: the responsibility for unaccompanied migrant minors cannot fall solely on the arrival regions. The Minister of Social Welfare, Candelaria Delgado, emphasized that “migrant children belong to all Spaniards,” a stance the regional executive has maintained since the beginning of the crisis.

The Canarian proposal seeks to consolidate the current referral system and establish a stable model that prevents the reception network from being overwhelmed by future migratory surges. Delgado warned of a recent “small uptick,” which could again strain an already overburdened system. The Canarian Government will demand not only the continuity but also the legal and operational reinforcement of the model, aiming for automatic distribution when significant increases in minor arrivals are detected.

Additionally, Canarias will demand stable funding from the State so that communities can fulfill their child protection obligations, including educational, health, and social care, which requires sustained planning rather than just emergency responses.