The Court of El Hierro has initiated the procedure to expel 82 migrants of Senegalese nationality from Spanish territory following their arrival on the island. These migrants traveled from Gambia on a vessel, completing a nine-day journey before reaching El Hierro. The court asserts that this measure is essential to carry out their return, citing the absence of identified relatives or any established connections in Spain. This lack of ties, according to the court, indicates a potential risk of flight, making their expulsion a necessary step in the judicial process.
Journey and Arrival Details
The migrants reached the island last week aboard a single vessel carrying a total of 119 occupants, according to judicial sources. The vessel set sail from Gambia, and the arduous journey to El Hierro lasted nine days before the boat reached Spanish waters. Upon arrival, authorities initiated procedures to identify the individuals and assess their circumstances, a standard protocol for undocumented arrivals. The group of 82 Senegalese migrants are now subject to an expulsion order from the Court of El Hierro. This measure is based on the court's assertion that the individuals lack identified relatives or established connections within Spain, which it views as indicating a potential risk of flight and a basis for their return to their country of origin.
Court's Legal Rationale
The National Police requested the admission of the migrants to a Foreigners’ Internment Center (CIE), citing their lack of visas or valid documentation required for legal entry into Spain. This request formed a key part of the judicial proceedings, noting the legal grounds for their detention. Judges subsequently approved the internment of these individuals in a non-penitentiary center, ensuring they are held in appropriate facilities while their cases are processed. The court’s decision permits a maximum internment period of 60 days, during which their cases are to be processed and their legal status determined. This legal action relies on the provisions of the 2000 Spanish immigration law, which outlines procedures for the detention and expulsion of foreign nationals who enter the country without proper authorization. The court's rationale hinges on the perceived absence of ties to Spain, which it views as a risk factor for non-compliance with potential expulsion orders. The legal framework provides for the temporary internment to facilitate administrative proceedings.
Current Status and Next Steps
Five occupants, identified as minors, were excluded from this expulsion process and will not be subject to the court order, in line with protections afforded to children under Spanish law. The resolutions for the remaining migrants were signed over the weekend by substitute magistrates Antonio Mazuecos and Antonio Doreste, formalizing the legal decisions. Currently, the migrants are authorized to remain at the CATE of San Andrés, located on the island of El Hierro. Their stay at this facility is temporary, intended to last until police authorities are able to organize their transfer to a more permanent internment facility. The next step involves their relocation to a determined Foreigners’ Internment Center, where their cases will continue to be processed according to Spanish immigration law, ultimately leading to their potential expulsion from Spanish territory.
