On 5 February spaces were made available at the La Bonanova residence to prevent overcrowding of the reception centres for these minors.

TDB keeps you informed. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

IMAS

According to Guillermo Sánchez, Minister of Social Welfare of the Consell de Mallorca and President of IMAS, the arrival of migrants to the coasts of Mallorca has been increasing steadily since 2021, also in the case of unaccompanied migrant minors. The beginning of 2024 has not led to a change in this trend and today the arrivals of unaccompanied migrant minors already exceed those recorded during the first quarter of 2023.

Given this situation, and following indications from the entities that care for unaccompanied migrant minors that the occupation of the centres is close to reaching its maximum, IMAS officials last week made a series of spaces available at the La Bonanova residence. This extraordinary measure has no impact on the normal functioning of the residence, as the spaces are separated, avoiding the coexistence between the users of the residence and the minors; likewise, it does not affect the staff of La Bonanova as the entities are in charge of the minors.

Solutions continue to be sought to the problem of the lack of spaces and, in this regard, Guillermo Sanchez has stated that: “in recent months, we have worked and continue to work to cope with the growing arrival of unaccompanied migrant minors and we have already doubled the number of places available”.

IMAS is also working on a reinforcement programme to achieve the integration of these minors and, where it is possible, to achieve family reunification, as in many cases, these minors have family members on the mainland or in Europe.