Argentinos en Andorra Probes Police Questioning of Unaccompanied Kids

Argentinos en Andorra has called on South American families to report any instances where authorities questioned their unaccompanied children in public spaces, aiming to determine if such encounters are isolated or part of a broader pattern. The group, led by Riccie Ponce, shared the urgent appeal on social media on January 14, requesting details via email to argentinosenandorraoficial@gmail.com, including dates, times, locations, descriptions of those involved—whether uniformed or plainclothes officers—and adult contact numbers. It promises full confidentiality to protect minors' privacy.

Community sources describe at least five cases, primarily involving children heading to school in Pas de la Casa. These include two 10-year-old girls from single-parent families who were asked about parental documents and employment, becoming distressed and prompting officers to call their mothers. In one such instance, irregular parental status was noted. A third case on June 3 involved a 10-year-old boy approached during a patrol amid heavy tourist traffic. Officers, mistaking him for younger and potentially vulnerable, walked him to school—contrary to some reports of a patrol car—and obtained family contacts through school staff. School officials challenged the officers, who later apologized to both the family and the institution. The parents, Argentine residents with permits, appreciated safety advice for busy areas, though the boy lacked proper registration.

Police have issued statements firmly denying any practice of questioning minors for immigration purposes. In a communiqué, they clarified that officers do not directly approach children to gather such data—"it is not our style, nor will it be"—but intervene only when a minor appears vulnerable, to identify them and contact guardians immediately for safety reasons. Director Bruno Lasne told Diari d'Andorra that all officers are trained on child rights protocols, requiring parental or legal presence for formal questioning. He detailed the June 3 incident as a welfare check, not immigration-related, and cited a January 6 hotel inspection where two 16-year-olds with residence permits but no work authorization were found working; the employer was fined without questioning the girls.

The Interior Ministry has dismissed claims of targeted interrogations, emphasizing official channels for data collection. Andorra Endavant councillor Carine Montaner endorsed police efforts on Instagram, advocating zero tolerance for illegal immigration to maintain order and deter pull factors.

No official case data has been released, and Argentinos en Andorra has shared no verifiable specifics beyond the appeal. Concerns persist over potential breaches of Andorran child protection laws and UN Convention standards, which require adult presence for child statements unless in emergencies. Police reiterate sensitivity to minors and deny the reported scenarios.