Work begins on new Migrant Reception Centre in the south of Tenerife
Earth-moving work has begun on the site of the new Temporary Centre for Foreign Nationals (CATE) in Granadilla de Abona, marking the official start of a major project that will create a new migrant reception facility in the south of Tenerife.
These facilities are where irregular migrants are taken after arriving in the islands by boat, whilst they are officially identified, checked health-wise, and their initial paperwork is processed.
The centre, located next to the desalination plant in the Granadilla industrial port, will cover 4,000 square metres and has a planned construction period of 10 months. When completed, it will be able to accommodate 348 people arriving by small boat.
A Larger and More Expensive Project Than First Announced
The development includes three accommodation modules:
- Two main buildings with 256 beds,
- A smaller module offering 92 additional places.
The total investment amounts to €7.42 million, more than double the early estimate of €3 million. The increased budget includes full preparation of the site, essential utilities, and installation of all operational systems from the first day of use.
19 Phases of Construction
The works now underway involve clearing rubble and levelling the land. The full project includes:
- Foundations and paving,
- Water and sewage systems,
- Medium- and low-voltage electrical networks,
- Fire-safety installations,
- Security systems including CCTV, loudspeakers, and telecommunications,
- An internal car park for official vehicles and a supply warehouse.
Access to the centre will be controlled through a single entrance and exit, designed to help security and emergency teams manage movements.
If the schedule is maintained, the CATE should be operational before the end of 2026.
A Centre Built Amid Debate Over Migration Figures
The new construction comes at a time when official migrant arrival figures have dropped. According to the Spanish Ministry del Interior, only 17,788 people reached the Canary Islands by sea in 2025, significantly fewer than the 46,843 arrivals recorded in 2024.
However, opposition parties have questioned the reliability of these figures, accusing the government of a lack of transparency. Abascal said he trusts police unions and the Guardia Civil, who report continued “saturation” and almost daily boat arrivals that strain resources.
Some officers’ associations argue that managing irregular migration diverts personnel away from other public-safety duties, while critics also link rising crime, particularly sexual offences, to government policies they describe as too permissive.
Despite these political disputes, construction is now underway, and Granadilla is expected to have a fully functioning centre later this year.
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