Spain Wants to Relocate Minors from Ceuta to the Mainland

Spain plans to transfer some unaccompanied migrant minors from overcrowded Ceuta to the mainland in the coming weeks.

The move comes in response to a migration crisis that began on 30 July, when as many as 72,000 people crossed from Morocco into the enclave, according to Spanish authorities. Dozens died during the attempt.

Most of the migrants have already returned, but hundreds of unaccompanied children remain in Ceuta, where authorities have registered 1,342 minors so far. Girls and children under 13 will be given priority for relocation.

Facilities are significantly over capacity, and Youth Minister Sira Rego said some children have been sleeping on the streets.

Morocco has offered to cooperate in returning the minors, but Madrid wants to assess each case individually, with an emphasis on children's rights and the possibility of family reunification.

(Reuters, mja)