The agreement between the Junts party and Pedro Sanchez's government on the distribution of unaccompanied minor migrants has sparked controversy in Spain. Following the Vox party, the Basque People's Party has also voiced its opposition to the decision, which mandates the relocation of these minors across Spanish regions. Party leader Javier de Andrés criticized the measure, arguing that it would be more appropriate to deport some of the children and teenagers who arrived in the Canary Islands instead of transferring them to the mainland Spain. He stated, «What's missing from this distribution plan is that none of these migrants are being sent to Morocco, which would be the most suitable destination for many, as their families are there». He also shared a map illustrating the planned distribution of migrants across different regions. On the platform X, de Andrés reposted a message from party leader Cuca Gamarra, who claimed that «the autonomous regions have reached their capacity limits due to the government's lack of a clear immigration policy». She added that «it is essential for the government to take responsibility and provide the necessary resources to accommodate these children and teenagers». Meanwhile, the Basque People's Party participated in meetings with a delegation from the Canary Islands government, including representatives from the People's Party (PP) and the Canarian Coalition (CC) in Vitoria. These meetings provided an in-depth analysis of the situation. The party's spokesperson, Laura Garrido, held a press conference in the Basque Parliament, where she stated that a «fair distribution» had not been implemented. She pointed out that «regions governed by their coalition bear the greater burden» and that accommodating these minors presents a significant challenge. Garrido further noted that «everyone knows» the Basque Country is particularly attractive to migrants due to its «better welfare system» compared to other regions. In March 2025, the Spanish government reached an agreement with the Catalan Junts party to amend Article 35 of the Immigration Law, allowing for the redistribution of unaccompanied minors across Spanish regions.
