A record number of migrants have reached the Canary Islands! In the first eight months of this year, there were already 25.5 thousand. people

In July and August, almost 6.3 thousand people arrived in the Canary Islands, illegal immigrants, a record number since detailed statistics on the issue began to be kept, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior reported.

Just over half of these cases were registered in the second half of August – according to data from the ministry cited by the EFE agency. In recent years, in July and August, the number of arrivals to the archipelago was significantly lower: 4.2 thousand. last year 1.9 thousand in 2022 2.3 thousand in 2021 and 1.2 thousand in 2020.

In the first eight months of this year, more than 25.5 thousand people arrived in the Canary Islands. people, which is an increase of 123%. compared to the same period last year. The total number of illegal immigrants who arrived in Spain at the end of August was almost 35,500. people.

The Prime Minister’s Promise

Late last month, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez promised 50 million euros in aid to the Canary Islands, which are struggling with the migration crisis. However, local authorities are demanding a change in the law to allow immigrants to move to other parts of the country. The Prime Minister of the Canary Islands government, Fernando Clavijo, announced on Monday that he would take legal action against the government in Madrid, which he believes is “neglecting its duties” in terms of migration policy.

The issue of immigration was the main topic of Sanchez’s trip last week to three West African countries: Mauritania, Gambia and Senegal. In the latter’s capital, Dakar, Sanchez stressed that the return of illegal immigrants to their countries of origin is necessary to discourage human trafficking mafias and those who use their services.

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mly/PAP