Majorca Faces Crisis as Local Councils Reject Housing for Migrant Children

An alarming rise in the number of unaccompanied migrant children arriving in Majorca has led several local authorities to refuse assistance in housing these vulnerable minors. The situation escalated last month when the Council of Mallorca’s social affairs institute, known as IMAS, reached out to town halls across the region, inquiring about available facilities for additional migrant minors. Out of 53 councils contacted, only 22 responded, with many expressing their inability to accommodate more children.

Those who declined to assist cited a lack of suitable facilities or stated that they were already housing unaccompanied migrant minors in their existing municipal facilities. This refusal places a heavier burden on the already stretched resources in Majorca, which has become a key entry point for migrants making the perilous journey from North Africa.

The Spanish government’s handling of the migrant situation has come under sharp criticism. While administrative procedures were approved to care for adult migrants, no similar provisions have been established for unaccompanied minors. This oversight has intensified the strain on Majorca and other Spanish islands, particularly as the region has seen a staggering increase in arrivals.

Escalating Arrivals and Local Demands for Action

Guillermo Sánchez, the President of IMAS and the regional minister of Social Welfare, condemned the councils that refused to assist, stating that the Spanish government’s inaction represents a neglect of unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents. He emphasized that this decision aggravates overcrowding in the child protection system in Majorca.

The increase in migrant arrivals is significant, with small boat landings surging by 77% compared to 2023. Earlier this month, a spokesperson for Calvia Council reported that a “small boat” now reaches Balearic waters every two hours. To date, more than 4,300 individuals have arrived illegally in the archipelago from North Africa this year.

Local authorities are now demanding immediate action from the central government. Calvia Council has specifically called for the resignation of Alfonso Rodriguez, the Government Delegate in the Balearics, citing the situation as “unprecedented.” They highlighted that the route between the Balearics and Algeria is one of the most dangerous in Europe for migrants.

Call for Support from Central Government and EU

The crisis has prompted the Council of Mallorca to request assistance not only from the Spanish government but also from the European Union to enhance border protections. As the situation continues to deteriorate, local leaders stress that they have never witnessed a crisis of this magnitude in the Balearic Islands.

The increasing number of arrivals and the refusal of local councils to provide shelter for unaccompanied minors paints a troubling picture of the current migrant crisis in Majorca. As communities grapple with the implications of these decisions, the need for a coordinated response from both national and international authorities becomes ever more pressing.