Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Spain sends African migrants home
The BBC reports that the Spanish government has repatriated more than 750 African migrants, including 30 children. The majority were Senegalese and were caught last week trying to enter the Canary Islands, according to Spain's interior ministry.
The Delegate of the Government in the Canaries, José Segura, has confirmed that in the last few days, 603 immigrants were repatriated to Senegal and 147 to Morocco, having spent no more than 7 - 10 days in internment centers in the islands.
Previously, undocumented illegal immigrants were held in centers in the islands for 40 days, before being handed an expulsion order, which frequently could not be enforced. Recent agreements with the countries of origin mean that the law is being applied and judges' instructions for the immigrants' repatriation, enforced.
Spain sends African migrants home
