The Spanish government have confirmed that they relocated almost 30,000 irregular migrants from the Canary Islands to mainland Spain last year, according to figures released in response to a written query from the Partido Popular (PP) political party in Congress.
The Canary Islands have struggled for several years with the massive influx of migrants, stretching limited resources to accommodate those arriving at our shores. The regional governments, including the current administration under Fernando Clavijo (Coalición Canaria), have had to manage the continuous arrivals, much like Ángel Víctor Torres (PSOE) during the 2020 crisis when the Arguineguín dock was overwhelmed.
Redistributing migrants to other regions of Spain has been a significant relief, with almost 30,000 people, arriving on small boats known as pateras or cayucos, transferred in 2023 alone.
These figures, provided by the national government, highlight the role of the Secretariat of State for Migration (SEM) in managing foreign affairs, immigration, and emigration policies. The Directorate-General for Humanitarian Assistance is responsible for planning and implementing humanitarian programs for migrants and coordinating urgent interventions in exceptional situations.
In a previous parliamentary response in December 2023, the team of Pedro Sánchez explained that an unprecedented surge in the Canary migration route was recorded from September onwards, peaking in October with 15,194 arrivals in one month.
The government met the basic needs of these migrants through a comprehensive humanitarian assistance program and expedited their transfer to mainland facilities, while also increasing budget allocations to support their integration into Spanish society.
The response also explained the existing network of resources and services within the Spanish system, designed to offer individualised integration pathways. These services are provided both through public centres and third-sector organisations authorised to deliver services nationwide.
New facilities to accommodate migrants were established in various regions, including 302 in Valencia, 80 in Castilla-La Mancha, 105 in Murcia, and 1,395 in Andalusia. These expansions occurred despite the political dynamics between the PP and Vox regarding migration, with all mentioned regions except Castilla-La Mancha (governed by socialist Emiliano García-Page) being led by right-wing administrations.
The government's statement explained ongoing coordination with public administrations and non-governmental organisations involved in managing migration, highlighting Spain's commitment to managing the migrant influx in a humane and organized manner.
