Rodríguez Badal stresses that the Government works with the Autonomous Community to help find alternatives to reinforce the system of reception of minors

The Ministry of Youth and Children, at the request of the Government Delegation in the Balearic Islands, has maintained contact with the Balearic executive, given that this is a competence of the Autonomous Community

The Ministry of Youth and Children, through the State Secretariat for Youth and Children, and at the request of the Government Delegation in the Balearic Islands, has maintained in recent weeks several contacts with the autonomous government in order to contribute and collaborate in the search for alternatives that can reinforce the systems of protection of unaccompanied minors, whose management is transferred to the autonomous communities.

After the rejection in the Congress of Deputies of the reform of article 35 of the Aliens Act, necessary for the Government to continue helping the territories with greater migratory pressure, the Ministry has continued to offer ways of collaboration. It should be remembered that the reception of minors, including those arriving on our coasts, is the responsibility of the autonomous communities and that, in the case of Balears, this function is transferred by the Government to the island consells.

The government delegate in the Balearic Islands, Alfonso Rodríguez Badal, has pointed out that, in the field of migration, “it is essential that each administration works and gives an adequate response to its own competences.” In the specific case of the reception of minors, Rodríguez Badal stresses that “the priority is the protection of minors, and the island consells cannot throw balls out in an area that is their responsibility”, while recalling that “the rejection of the reform of the Aliens Act blocked the aid of the Government of Spain that would have allowed other communities to contribute compulsorily to the reception of minors who arrive in the Balears, in addition to obtaining additional resources for it”.

However, the Secretariat for Youth and Children, having been informed of the situation in the islands, initially maintained contacts with the Autonomous Community, which is responsible for the protection of minors, to help in the search for possible solutions. This line of communication remains open to this day.

On the other hand, the delegate emphasizes that the Government “is exercising in Balears its responsibilities, which involve the coordination of the different institutions and entities before the arrival of irregular migration, as well as the attention of adults with vulnerability profiles through the humanitarian care system, with the effort, professionalism and commitment of Salvamento Maritimo, Civil Guard, National Police and the Red Cross”.