Spain: the situation of unaccompanied minors deemed “untenable” in Ceuta

Reception centers are showing an occupancy rate of 2,600%, far beyond their maximum capacity, according to local authorities. Most of the migrants who arrived en masse in Ceuta at the end of last week have returned to Morocco, but minors, in principle, cannot be expelled and remain under the care of Spanish services.

“The situation is chaotic, especially for those who are not being taken care of,” said Jennifer Zuppiroli from the NGO Save the Children. According to her, many children are still slipping through the protective system intended for minors.

“They are living on the streets, with no access to shelter, food, or water,” she explained. Some have been temporarily taken in by families in the area, but the NGO believes this solution cannot sustainably meet the scale of needs in such a small enclave.

Spanish regions urged to mobilize

Spanish legislation stipulates that different regions of the country participate in the reception of minors arriving in territories facing high migratory pressure. The president of Ceuta is calling for a rapid transfer of some of the youths to other regions to alleviate the local structures.

However, the implementation of this system is facing political resistance. Several regions governed by the Popular Party, sometimes with the support of the far-right Vox party, oppose the reception of new foreign minors.

Moreover, the human toll of the migration crisis continues to worsen. Spanish authorities reported that at least 79 people have died attempting to reach Ceuta from Morocco.

Most people who crossed the border illegally last week have returned to the kingdom. In Casablanca, the testimonies collected show a wide diversity of paths, even though young people from disadvantaged neighborhoods of large cities seem particularly numerous among those looking to leave.