Panic in Majorca as councils refuse to house migrant children

Migrant crossings have risen by 77% in Majorca this year (Image: Getty)

An increase in the number of migrant minors arriving in Majorca has seen some local authorities refuse to house unaccompanied children. Last month, the Council of Mallorca's social affairs institute (IMAS) sent letters to all town halls asking if they had facilities to house additional migrant minors, with only half issuing a response.

Of the 53 asked, only 22 have responded, either to refuse or to state that they do not have the facilities to house more. Those that have refused say are understood to have stated that they do not have suitable facilities or that they are already house unaccompanied migrant minors in a municipal facility. The Spanish government’s response to the increase in migrant arrivals has been widely criticised.

Increased arrival numbers have seen anti-immigration protests across Spain (Image: Getty)

In response to an increase in migrant arrivals, the Spanish government after they approved administrative procedures to care for adults but failed to do the same for unaccompanied children arriving within its borders.

The decision puts additional strain on Majorca and other Spanish islands which are Spoften the focal point for those making the perilous journey from North Africa.

The president of IMAS and regional minister of Social Welfare, Guillermo Sánchez criticised those who have refused as he denounced the Spanish government’s decision, claiming that they “once again neglect unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents, victims of the migration crisis.”

He added that the decision “further exacerbates the overcrowding of the child protection system in Mallorca.”

Small boat arrivals have sky-rocketed by 77% in Majorca this year compared to 2024 with several hotspots demanding that the central government take immediate action.

It has been claimed that a small boat is arriving in the Balearic Islands every two minutes (Image: Getty)

Earlier this month, a Calvia Council spokesperson said that a "small boat" is now arriving in Balearic waters every two hours, and so far this year, more than 4,300 people have arrived in the archipelago illegally from North Africa.

They added: "We demand action from central government and we call for the resignation of the Government Delegate in the Balearics, Alfonso Rodriguez (who is a former Mayor of Calvia)," as they declared the situation as “unprecedented.”

They added: "The route between the Balearics and Algeria, used by the majority of illegal immigrants who arrive in the islands, is considered to be one of the most dangerous in Europe.

"We have never seen a situation like this in the Balearics. The problem is getting more serious every year. The Council of Mallorca has demanded help from central government and even the European Union to protect local borders."