Migrant children, we move from complaining to taking action

The controversy surrounding migrant children has turned them into a problem. Administration officials stated that the distribution among autonomous communities is opaque and unfair. Furthermore, they have repeatedly stated that they are not prepared to receive children from the Canary Islands; there is neither the space nor the professionals to care for them. The attitude has been reactive, not proactive.

Migrant children are here and will continue to arrive, whether we like it or not. The recent Generation Z uprising in Morocco demonstrates this, and the way we address the phenomenon will have different consequences, both for the children and for society. Therefore, we must move from complaining to taking action. We must reflect on this issue and seriously seek solutions.

We know that unaccompanied migrant children can fall into situations of exclusion because their migration process has not been easy and their future is full of uncertainties.

In one Prosocial statement of October 7, 2025, published by ARA BalearesWe listed a series of measures that, in our view, should be taken to address the issue. In that document, we advocated for reversing the situation, making it clear that it is not just a problem of a lack of facilities and professionals; it is primarily a matter of psychosocial and socio-educational support. We want to emphasize here those initiatives that promote socialization and community participation, because all of society can be involved in supporting young migrants. Our proposals are: We propose a mentoring program, which consists of accompanying a minor for a period of between six and nine months, dedicating between two and three hours per week. The activities can be diverse: understanding the environment, assisting with bureaucratic procedures, supporting the health and education systems, etc.

We help to realistically develop the migration project through discussion groups with migrants who have already settled in the Islands.

Several studies in different European countries and in the USA have shown how mentoring not only helps young people, but also changes mentors' perceptions of the culture and ways of life, emphasizing similarities rather than differences.

We have extensive experience, and in fact, Spain has a Social Mentoring Coordinator, a national network that brings together social organizations and some universities that develop mentoring projects.

We propose a program to learn about the host society in order to understand it. This includes support in language learning, employment, and housing-related issues. Unlike mentoring, these activities can be carried out in small groups.

We propose launching a foster family program specifically for migrant families who can provide support, even if only temporarily. Placements could last between six months and one year.

We propose organizing peer-to-peer activities to strengthen solidarity networks. Young people with young people. There are existing initiatives in schools and youth associations that address this. These activities would facilitate the exchange of cultural traits, concerns, and perspectives on the future.

We propose promoting, through Development Cooperation, projects that involve young migrants in the Balearic Islands, with initiatives in both their home countries and the Balearic Islands. Balearic development NGOs could incorporate young migrants to participate in awareness-raising activities about the realities of their countries of origin.

We propose integrating the emancipation resource network, currently managed by the Government, into the island councils, as a continuation of the protection network, including medium and large municipalities in the programs, which can play an important role in the social inclusion of these young people.

Research shows that good emancipation practices are relevant to life trajectories and that young immigrants, in general, tend to take advantage of the opportunities given to them.

The regional government's proposal to repatriate the Algerian minors under guardianship in the Islands does not align with what we suggest here. The statements of the President of the Government seem to point to a deportation. If, as she says, she is truly concerned about the minors and their families, it should be a transparent return from the effective guardianship exercised by the regional administration, in no case a blind return, where the only thought is to get rid of these people. Facilitating their return to their families is a working objective that must be pursued with all minors under protection. However, it must be done properly and with guarantees: where they return to, and under what social and family conditions. And always with the supervision of the Juvenile Prosecutor's Office and in accordance with immigration and child protection legislation.

We repeat once again, youth migration is not a problem but an opportunity. We demand that our authorities stop the demagoguery and act decisively to preserve the rights of minors.