Thousands of migrant kids have reached the Canary Islands alone. Local officials want Spain's help
IndependentJul 31
Spanish Prime Minister Visits West Africa to Tackle Migration Surge
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Above: Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attends a press conference after his meeting with King Felipe VI of Spain at the La Almudaina Palace on July 30, 2024 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Image copyright: Carlos Alvarez/Contributor/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
The Facts
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez began on Tuesday a three-day tour with stops in Gambia, Mauritania, and Senegal — his second visit this year to West Africa — aimed to curb a surge in migration to the Canary Islands.
It remains unclear what Sánchez will offer to encourage authorities to prevent migrants from attempting to reach the archipelago, with Madrid rumored to extend to Gambia and Mauritania seasonal working visas — available for citizens of Senegal since March last year.
The Spin
Right narrative
It doesn't matter whether migrants come from Morocco, Senegal, or elsewhere in Africa, they will eventually enter Spain because the country's authorities are a complete disaster when it comes to securing the border. Given that uncontrolled migration through illegal routes means that criminals are crossing the border too, Spain must address this issue with urgency.
Left narrative
While there's indeed a migration crisis in Spain, the nation can't just turn a blind eye to vulnerable people risking their lives in dangerous routes to run away from desperate situations such as wars and hunger. Seasonal working visas and reforming the Immigration Law to impose a solidarity system in the "autonomous communities" can solve the issue.
