Spain: The number of migrants arriving in the Canary Islands reached a record level in 2024
The Ministry of the Interior in Spain announced that the number of migrants entering the country illegally through the Canary Islands exceeded the annual record recorded during the year 2023 at the end of last November, due to the sharp increase in the number of arrivals during recent weeks.
The Ministry said – in monthly data today, Tuesday – that 41,425 migrants arrived between the months of January and November in this Spanish archipelago located off the coast of northwest Africa, from Including 7,338 people last November, which is the highest monthly number since the beginning of 2024.
She added that the number of arrivals recorded an increase at this stage of the year from 39,910 who entered and were recorded. The entire year 2023, which nevertheless constitutes an absolute record for the Canary Islands, which have become by far the main gateway for migrants to Spain.
The Ministry confirmed that 610 illegal boats have been able to reach the seven islands of the archipelago since last January, compared to 530 in 2023. Across the country, 56,976 arrivals have also been registered, or more. by 12.7% for the entire year 2023 (50.551). This number remains at this stage lower than the absolute record for the year 2018, when it reached 64,298 illegal immigrants to Spain.
In the Canary Islands, this large number of arrivals prompted the authorities to sound the alarm several times in recent months, and this situation prompted the government of Prime Minister Socialist Minister "Pedro Sanchez" To begin discussions with the Popular Party about distributing the reception of minors on Spanish territory. But these talks stopped months ago. As broadcast by France 24, News.
The increase in the number of illegal immigrants arriving comes at a time when the Sanchez government adopted… A regulatory reform was introduced in mid-November aimed at facilitating the regulation of illegal immigrants, which is essential for the Iberian economy due to the aging population.
With this reform, which provides in particular for reducing the time taken to obtain residence permits and extending the duration of the visa Searching for work from three months to one year; The status of up to 300,000 migrants could be regularized each year during the next three years.
According to the authorities; Thousands of migrants have died in recent years trying to reach Europe via the Atlantic Route from Africa; Especially through the Canary Islands on overcrowded and often in poor condition boats.
However, frequent boat wrecks did not prevent this route from gaining popularity, because it is less monitored than the sea route. Mediterranean.
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