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Spain's leftist government intends to move hundreds of unaccompanied migrant minors from overcrowded reception centers in the North African enclave of Ceuta to the mainland within weeks. This action follows a recent deadly border rush and aims to ease the migration crisis in the territory. Youth Minister Sira Rego acknowledged the "painful images" of children sleeping on Ceuta's streets and stated that two schools have been opened as temporary shelters, with more spaces being evaluated. Rego anticipates that transfers to the mainland could begin in a few weeks, with a priority given to girls and children under 13. The situation in Ceuta remains challenging but is gradually returning to normal, she said. The far-right opposition has voiced objections to transferring minors to the mainland, where regional authorities manage reception facilities. Morocco has offered to cooperate with Spain on repatriating the children, a proposal Spain will evaluate on a case-by-case basis. A Moroccan diplomatic source cited administrative and judicial hurdles in Spain as complicating the return process, an assertion Rego denied, emphasizing Spain's commitment to safeguarding children's rights through specialized assessments and family reunification efforts. Rego noted a shift in the migrant profile over the past five years, with more unaccompanied girls and very young children arriving. Ceuta's local government head, Juan Jesus Vivas, stated that existing facilities are saturated, hosting approximately 1,100 unaccompanied minors who arrived before the recent influx, while NGOs suggest the total number could be in the thousands.

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I think it might only be a matter of a few weeks before we start seeing (minors) transferred to and welcomed on the mainland.