Thousands of migrant kids have reached the Canary Islands alone. Local officials want Spain’s help

Associated Press

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain’s Canary Islands are struggling to deal with thousands of teenagers and children traveling alone to the archipelago from Senegal, Mali, and other African nations. The youth fleeing poverty, conflict and instability are languishing in overcrowded reception centers, often without access to the care and protections they are entitled to under Spanish and European Union law. On Tuesday Spain’s parliament rejected a proposal that would have forced other regions to share the burden and take responsibility for some of the minors. The issue has sparked a national political crisis and calls for reform.