The PP already puts obstacles to the distribution of migrant minors in Ceuta

MadridThe PP is already putting obstacles in the way of the distribution of unaccompanied migrant minors in Ceuta. In the technical meeting with the Ministry of Childhood and Youth held this Thursday, it was agreed that the sectoral conference on childhood and adolescence to address this distribution among the autonomous communities would be held on August 27, but the Popular Party has refused to include on the agenda of this upcoming meeting an informational and debate point on, precisely, the care of these minors and their situation in Ceuta, according to ministry sources. Instead, the approval of an extraordinary credit of 25 million euros to expand resources for the care of minors would be voted on.

In any case, the ministry led by Sira Rego has explained that on August 27, the minister herself, as president of the conference, will propose the inclusion of this point in the meeting – to discuss the situation of unaccompanied minors in the autonomous city – and it will be voted on. Does this mean that a distribution will take place? No. In fact, there is not yet a definitive official figure of the unaccompanied migrant minors in Ceuta who entered swimming from Morocco two weeks ago. "The registration process continues and it is a constant trickle of identifications," the minister acknowledged a few days ago.

For now, there are 1,898 minors registered with the National Police, as revealed this Thursday by the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, from Ceuta. Among all minors, the Spanish government will prioritize family reunification (this August 16, a technical team from the ministry will be installed in Ceuta to speed up procedures). Children who cannot be reunited with family in their country of origin will be placed under the guardianship of the public administration.

More police reinforcement

Regarding adults, the Spanish government wants to speed up their expulsion, as Marlaska has acknowledged. Thus, 20 more police officers have been assigned to Ceuta to assist with expulsion procedures, while 50 National Police officers will be assigned to guarantee "security" on the street. All this is in addition to an unprecedented mobilization of the army.

The central executive has also cooled a clash with Morocco regarding this process of returning people. "Cooperation [with Rabat] is and has been exceptional," said Marlaska, who has dismissed the possibility of suspending the extradition agreement, as threatened by the Moroccan Minister of Justice.

Balances in the PP

"It is incomprehensible that the [Spanish] government does not yet know how many minors there are in Ceuta, what their situation is, and how many are unattended," criticize PP sources. At the same time, the Popular Party insists that priority must be given to the return of minors with their families – they demand the implementation of "legal and diplomatic mechanisms" with the countries of origin – and say they went to the meeting to be able to vote in favor of the 25 million euros to "support Ceuta".

But this suspicious attitude of the PP regarding the distribution is not new. A few days ago, it had left accepting it up in the air, but it lowered its tone in the face of the cry for help from the president of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas (PP). Furthermore, the latest reform of the immigration law made the distribution and relocation of unaccompanied minor migrants among the autonomous communities mandatory in cases of "extraordinary migratory contingency," as is happening in Ceuta.

To all this is added the balance that must be struck with Vox. At this Thursday's meeting, the general directorates of Childhood that are in the hands of the far-right after the regional pacts with the PP – in Extremadura, Aragon, and Castilla y León – did not attend. The Popular Party, on the other hand, did: in Andalusia, where there is also a coalition with Vox, and in the other seven territories where they govern alone.

6,354 unaccompanied minors in Catalonia

Regarding Catalonia, the Secretary of Childhood and Adolescence, Teresa Llorens, attended. The Generalitat has offered to cooperate, but also demanded that "the effort that Catalonia assumes in the reception of unaccompanied migrant minors be taken into account". The Secretariat of Childhood recalled that minors arrive in the Principality through solidarity distribution mechanisms to alleviate the burden on the Canary Islands or African locations, but also on their own initiative. Currently, the Generalitat houses 6,354 single migrant minors in centers, of whom 95% are boys and 42% come from Morocco, reports Marta Rodríguez.

In this regard, Junts also took up arms. The party's spokesperson in Congress, Miriam Nogueras, recalled that her party had already voted once against Catalonia being part of the last distribution of migrant minors from the Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla. Nogueras stated that it was an "abuse" by the Spanish government, which "did not provide resources" and "further strained" the Catalan protection system.

Robles will not go to the Senate

However, the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, is postponing her appearance in the Senate until after the summer. The Popular Party, which has a majority in the Senate, had summoned her, as well as the Ministers of the Interior and Foreign Affairs, but the Spanish government rejected it, alleging that they would provide explanations later in Congress. The PP assured that, unlike her government colleagues, Robles did accept to appear in the upper house next Tuesday, August 18th. Finally, the minister argued in a letter sent to the PP that she needs "more time to prepare for the appearance." The President of the Senate, Pedro Rollán, will go to Ceuta this Friday.