Prohens defends return of migrant minors after repatriation in Ibiza

The president of the Balearic Government, Marga Prohens, has defended in Parliament the need to expedite the return of unaccompanied migrant minors to their countries of origin. Her statement comes after five minors under the care of the authorities in Ibiza were returned to Algeria, a move aimed at alleviating pressure on the islands' social services.

Marga Prohens in a parliamentary chamber pointing at a map of migratory flows, with five youthful figures crossing a maritime border towards Algeria, while a bar chart shows descending pressure on social services, documentary cinematic style, dramatic blue-gray lighting, official paper texture, digital whiteboard with migratory data curves, technical photorealism, dynamic diagonal composition, return process highlighted with dotted route lines.

Migration management systems and data control 📊

Managing these returns requires biometric identification systems and shared databases between countries. Tools such as the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) allow for identity verification and streamlined consular procedures. However, the lack of bilateral agreements with Algeria complicates the traceability of minors, leaving gaps in coordination between security forces and regional guardianship services.

The new bargain: returning minors instead of hosting them 😏

Good thing we finally found a low-cost solution: instead of investing in reception centers and educators, we now export minors as if they were Amazon packages. Of course, the president's own child wouldn't be sent back if they got lost on a school trip. But hey, in the Balearic Islands, sun and tourism rule, and the leftover children go home.