Sémper calls for immigration policy to focus on returning minors

The PP’s national spokesperson, Borja Sémper, promised on Friday «a change of direction» in immigration policy should his party form a government, such that the Immigration Act would be amended to «stop talking about the distribution» of minors and start talking «about return».

Speaking to the media in Tenerife, the People’s Party leader expressed his willingness to amend legislation in this area «and immigration law will undoubtedly be one of them», for which purpose the tools provided by European legislation will be utilised.

He pointed out that when we talk about immigration, we are obviously talking about human beings, and if they are children, the issue is «even more sensitive, unless you have horchata running through your veins, it is something that touches us all».

Migration policy: PP calls for the repatriation of migrant minors

And for that reason, he added, the first thing that must be done when a child arrives on the Spanish coast «is to take them in and protect them, treating them with the utmost humanity»; and the second, he pointed out, is to return them to their family, and if their family cannot be found, their own government must take responsibility for them.

Borja Sémper has warned that «Moroccan social policy cannot be implemented using Spanish public services, that’s over» and, for that reason, the next parliamentary term will not be about distribution, but about repatriation.

Spain should take stronger measures to curb irregular immigration

This applies to anywhere in Spain, but particularly in the Canary Islands, and how ‚this Government’s lack of a migration policy‘ affects Europe as a whole, all Spaniards and the islands in particular, because, he added, policy in this area can be managed in two ways, well or badly, and the Government has done it ‚absolutely terribly‘.

We must bear in mind that, although we are dealing with human beings, and it is essential always to remember «that we are not talking about express parcel deliveries» but about people «who come or knock on our door in search of a better future», we must also make it clear to everyone that Spain cannot take in a single more immigrant who does not come with a job.

«Our public services are under strain; the health service, education and the housing market are all under strain. Socially speaking, this country cannot accommodate any more irregular immigration,» warned Sémper, adding that immigration policy must, while remaining humane, become a policy that is recognisable, robust and clear.