The State does not expect the Balearic Islands to block the distribution of migrant minors: "We have been told that the law will be enforced."

PalmThe Spanish government maintains its position that the Balearic Islands must accept the distribution of Unaccompanied Migrant Minors (MENA) from the Canary Islands, and assures that these transfers will not increase pressure on the island's protection system. This was stated by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Youth and Children, Rubén Pérez, following a meeting in Palma with the Minister of Families, Social Welfare and Care for Dependent Children, Sandra Fernández, and the island's Social Welfare Councilors, which was also attended by the Government Delegate, Alfonso Rodrígue. Pérez emphasized that the government will allocate six million euros to the archipelago for the reception of minors, with an additional allocation in preparation.

According to Pérez, the meeting served to address the situation of migrant children in the Balearic Islands and analyze the archipelago's specific circumstances. He emphasized the importance of being able to sit at the same table and openly address the existing differences regarding the Royal Decree-Law approved by Congress, aimed at addressing the migration contingency particularly affecting the Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla. Pérez emphasized that both the central government and the Balearic Delegation have carried out "very close" monitoring of the migration situation, although he believes that the islands are not experiencing a contingency, but rather a sustained increase in arrivals, which has made the phenomenon chronic in recent years.

Faced with this scenario, the Government has opted to strengthen funding and support the regional protection system, but without activating the migration contingency mechanism. Specifically, the Balearic Islands will receive six million euros: two million from a €22 million allocation from the Ministry, and another four million from the state allocation of €100 million for the distribution of minors. Furthermore, work is underway on a new funding line to strengthen the protection system. Regarding the Royal Decree-Law, Pérez argued that it does not establish differences between regions, but rather applies an "equitable, supportive, and balanced" distribution criterion. He also denied extreme overcrowding of the child protection system in the Balearic Islands, stating that, while it exceeds ordinary capacity, it cannot be compared with other territories that have three times that capacity.

For their part, the Government and the four island councils have expressed their displeasure at not having reached an agreement to stop the transfer of unaccompanied migrant minors from the Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla. Minister Fernández expressed her "disappointment" that the state government has not considered the possibility of the Balearic Islands being excluded from this distribution, a situation she considers unsustainable given that 718 minors are currently cared for in spaces with a capacity for 416. "Two out of three protected minors are migrants. The system was not prepared to cope," she added.

"Insufficient" funding

Minister Guillermo Sánchez, from Mallorca, described the meeting with the State as "fruitless and disappointing." He denounced that, despite the Secretary of State's visit to a center a year ago, the situation has worsened, with an increase in the number of minors cared for and insufficient funding. "The aid covers less than 10 percent of the real needs, while the lack of space and housing further complicates the situation on the island, which suffers from double insularity," he stated. Sánchez noted that in just one week, another 20 minors have arrived, which has generated great strain on the system.

On behalf of Ibiza, Minister Carolina Escandell agreed with this concern, stating that "fine words do not solve the real problem." She emphasized that caring for migrant minors in the Balearic Islands is more expensive than on the Peninsula and that other migration routes are being closed, concentrating the pressure on the islands. Escandell denounced that "we only talk about the boats that arrive, but not about those that don't," and called for an integration model, not a limited care system. "We can't accept more minors because we don't have the capacity," he warned.

A 1,000% increase

Formentera's regional minister, María Cristina Costa, has warned that the island, which has become one of the main arrival points for small boats from the Balearic Islands, does not have its own reception center. "Migrants who arrive are forced to wait under porches without adequate assistance," she said. She also warned about the lack of National Police presence and the strain this places on the Local Police and Civil Protection. "There has been an increase of more than 1,000% in the number of minors being cared for, and we cannot continue to care for minors already settled there with current resources," Costa stated, stressing the need for well-educated migration with a future for the Balearic Islands.

Finally, Menorcan Minister Carmen Reynés expressed her concern about the lack of political will to address the situation of unaccompanied migrant minors. She emphasized the importance of acting at the source to prevent the arrival of these minors, many of whom are almost of legal age, which makes the implementation of personalized plans difficult. Reynés lamented that some minors arrive by air with their parents, who then "abandon them on the island, including cases in which they are left alone at the bus station, which creates a pull effect that increases pressure on the protection system."

Arrivals by plane

Menorca and Ibiza have reported the recent arrival of at least four migrant children by plane. According to Carmen Reynés, two minors, one 11 years old, were left by their families at a bus station before their parents returned to their country of origin. In Ibiza, Carolina Escandell has confirmed two similar cases, with children mainly from the Maghreb. This phenomenon, in addition to immigration by sea, worries local authorities due to the potential pull effect it could have. In Mallorca, on the other hand, no such cases have been detected.