The Spanish government reminds that the Balearic Islands are not in a position to request the immigration contingency.

PalmThe Spanish government delegate in the Balearic Islands, Alfonso Rodríguez, has pointed out that the islands do not meet the criteria set by Pedro Sánchez's administration for declaring a migration contingency, as they have not tripled their capacity to host migrant minors. Rodríguez noted that this declaration can be requested when the ordinary reception capacity is tripled, a situation that only affects the Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla. In the case of the Balearic Islands, the capacity is 406 minors, the islands host 682, and there should be 1,218 to declare a migration contingency.

"What is not valid is saying that we are at 1,000% capacity because the government says there are only 65 places to host minors. The Spanish government tells the autonomous communities how many reception places they must have in order to provide a national response to this phenomenon," he added.

Regarding the possibility of hosting minors in hotels, Rodríguez said that, in "certain situations," when "structural shelter" cannot be offered, they can be offered one or two nights in a hotel so that "they are not left on the street." "If Prohens thinks this is wrong, what would he prefer? That a mother with small children be left on the street after a journey like that, or that there be a temporary solution?" he requested. The delegate emphasized that this measure would be part of the €6.7 million budget proposed by the Spanish government to address the humanitarian needs of migrants. This budget would also include renovations to port facilities for temporary shelter and the purchase of supplies to care for these individuals.

Regarding security, Rodríguez highlighted that a new vessel has been purchased for Maritime Rescue in Mallorca and that a surveillance post will be built in Formentera. And he criticized the government for not attending the meetings of the Ministry of Children and Youth regarding the distribution of migrant minors, and asked if Prohens "seeks confrontation as a response to this humanitarian crisis." "There are mafias that profit from the desperation of many. 65 boat owners arriving in the Balearic Islands have already been arrested," he emphasized, while also assuring that the Spanish government is working at the source to reduce the migratory flow, as has happened in the Canary Islands.

The police reinforcement will last until the end of October.

The Spanish government confirmed that it will extend until the end of October the plan to reinforce the National Police and Civil Guard personnel stationed in the Balearic Islands during the high season. It also activated additional resources to expand and adapt its response capacity to the migration emergency, according to a statement. It specified that Maritime Rescue will incorporate a new vessel and that the Ministry of the Interior will tender a SIVE (Integrated External Surveillance System) point in Formentera.