The government of Pedro Sanchez officially acknowledged that no deportations of unaccompanied foreign minors to Morocco have been carried out «in recent years», in response to a question from members of the Vox party. In their question, members of the far-right party inquired whether there were «problems» hindering the «actual deportation of unaccompanied foreign minors». They also requested clarification regarding «the measures the government is taking to carry out deportations» and «the reasons preventing the implementation of the agreement between Spain and Morocco» to curb irregular migration of these minors. The party members based their question on what they described as difficulties faced by Spanish authorities in executing deportations of minors, in addition to Morocco's «non-compliance with the terms of the agreement». They cited statements by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, who confirmed that his country is «ready to receive its unaccompanied minors», but pointed to «legal loopholes» hindering these operations. The Spanish government clarified in its response that the deportation of minors is regulated according to Basic Law 1/1996 on the legal protection of minors, amended by Law 26/2015, in addition to the Aliens Law (Basic Law 4/2000) and local legislation in the regions. The government affirmed that these procedures always adhere to the «principle of the best interest of the minor». The government emphasized that the 2007 agreement stipulates that any deportation must be carried out in accordance with Spanish legislation, stressing that any deportation decision must be preceded by an assessment proving «that the deportation serves the best interest of the minor». It also clarified that the responsibility for preparing deportation files lies with the government delegations, which are the bodies authorized to make the «final decision» in this regard. In conclusion, the Spanish government acknowledged that «no deportation of unaccompanied foreign minors» from Spain to Morocco has been carried out «in recent years».
