Spanish ministers dispute placement of unaccompanied minors from Ceuta

For the first time, Youth and Childhood Minister Sira Rego announced that the majority of unaccompanied minors arriving in Ceuta will not be sent back to Morocco but will instead be distributed throughout mainland Spain, citing legal protection for those who want to stay. Hours later, Ángel Víctor Torres, head of the Unified Command, tempered that statement, stating that the aim is to regroup most children with their families in Morocco, though some may decline.

The central government argues the two statements are not contradictory, as each reflects different aspects of a complicated reunification process that requires cooperation from Morocco. Moroccan authorities have expressed willingness to cooperate, yet past actions have fostered mistrust. Remaining children would fall under the national immigration law, pending approval from Ceuta, which fears a potential pull-factor effect. The issue also ties into the EU’s safe-country list, which includes Morocco and influences asylum assessments.