In his investiture speech, Adán Martín told us that our progress and development had led to a high population growth and, at the same time, an increase in immigration. I remember the former president of the Canary Islands because during his legislature the peak of immigration in the Archipelago was experienced. The Atlantic/African route meant that in 2006, 33,000 immigrants arrived in our Islands.
At that time, the European Union proposed to Spain about fifteen measures as a shock plan to try to stop the arrival of irregulars. At the same time, the Hera II device was activated for maritime control. Meanwhile, the EU deployed its diplomatic action and worked to involve the African countries of origin or those that were in transit for immigration in order to control it. The Government of the Canary Islands had to fight hard to get the State Government to put in place the necessary tools to deal with the situation.
In 2018, the Cabildo of Lanzarote had to declare the "Humanitarian Emergency Situation", due to the overflow of the arrival of boats. It was necessary to find a place where to locate all those who came in these boats even if it was not the ideal one, as in the case of the Albergue de La Santa. Everything happened before the passivity of the State, even, as it will be remembered, the president of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, the same one as now, visited the island and refused to meet with the presidents of the Government of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, and of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Pedro San Ginés.
At present, the problem of irregular immigration has not improved much. Moreover, I dare to say that it has worsened. The places to relocate the minors who arrive on the island are overwhelmed, we lack a Foreigners Internment Center (CIE) and those that exist in the rest of the Canary Islands are full.
It is also necessary to take into account an issue that tends to be confused; and that is that it is not the same procedure for adults as for unaccompanied minors. The latter are the responsibility of the Autonomous Community and, according to the Immigration Law, cannot be held in CIEs. The lack of agreements with the African countries of origin means that immigrants have to be transferred to other CIEs in the Spanish State. It is evident that all these transfers have not been planned and we are in a very complicated situation.
Migratory flows have been part of the history of mankind. Our Archipelago was a land of much emigration, especially to the countries of Latin America. The people who defy death by getting on a boat have something in common: escaping from hunger, misery, war conflicts... Wanting to seek opportunities to improve their lives is not something reprehensible, quite the opposite. And if I am sure of anything, it is that if in their homeland they had the hope of being able to improve, they would not abandon it. Nobody leaves their family behind to throw themselves into the unknown without having the certainty that it will turn out well, and even knowing that their destiny in the attempt could be death.
Lanzarote has suffered in recent weeks a constant arrival of boats. The improvised places to locate immigrants are full and I know, as many know, that more people will continue to arrive on our coasts, because they see the Canary Islands as the bridge to reach Europe.
The claim is reiterated: the State Government is not definitively involved in addressing the debate on migration policy, the EU does not finish defining the policy on this issue and, when it does, its foundations are blown to pieces, sweeping away its founding values. I insist, cooperation policy in the countries of origin is fundamental.
The Government of the Canary Islands needs to stand up. I feel that right now we have a crouching government waiting for Madrid and, while we wait for answers, the problems overwhelm us without a defined direction of how to tackle the situation. The social situation is beginning to be suffocating on the island with the issue of immigration and we are running the danger of connecting with thoughts and attitudes not typical of a people that has always been great for its welcome.
The situation is complicated for several reasons: Covid-19, the situation of economic stagnation due to the lack of tourism, the uncertainty of the ERTE, the promised aid that does not materialize... and, above all, that feeling of insecurity... Insecurity due to the fear of unemployment, the fear of losing in the distribution of our resources and, losing the confidence of those who make the decisions because it gives the feeling that everything has gotten out of control.
I do not believe much in the call effects, I believe in the values of a society that knows how to effectively manage the arrival of irregulars. For this, it is necessary to be prepared and to trace the implementation of long-term policies coordinated between all administrations. And we must act and reinforce two fundamental issues; the diplomatic channel by the European Union and achieve greater involvement of the African countries of origin, so that we can reduce the arrival of immigrants.
The Canary Islands cannot control the situation by itself, we need the complicity of all administrations. We need a strong State Government that, together with the European Union, applies the necessary policies, both in the short and long term, thus showing its intervention and not leaving us, once again, with the feeling that they prefer to look the other way.
