Andorra Denies Family Reunification for 16 Argentine Minors Over EES Violations

**Andorra la Vella** – Andorran authorities have denied family reunification applications for minor children in 16 cases involving Argentine families since October, forcing their return to Argentina due to breaches of the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES). The situation has drawn calls from residents' groups and Unicef for clearer rules and stronger protections for children.

Argentinos en Andorra, a group representing Argentine residents, reported the cases stemmed from families bringing children into Andorra before obtaining formal approvals, exceeding the 90-day Schengen stay limit for non-EU nationals. Richie Ponce, a key member, highlighted the absence of invitation letters for minors—a required document for those joining established households, which officials have not provided. In some instances, parents accompanied their children back home, while others faced permit renewal risks under the omnibus law for relatives' irregular status.

Marcelo Ponce, the association's president, confirmed to ATV that EES violations were the only reason cited in all 16 denials. He noted multiple meetings with government representatives to address the issue, expressing optimism for a future fix based on bilateral treaties safeguarding immigrants' right to family unity. Ponce criticised the rules' lack of specificity, which he said enables administrative flexibility despite international obligations, and urged all parliamentary groups to investigate and adjust them. "Theory is fantastic, but reality is another matter," he said. He also warned of families attempting reunification for relatives already irregularly in Schengen territory, a scenario not addressed by current law.

Yuri Catherine Barbosa, president of ColombiAND, reported similar EES-related denials for Colombian minors, even among those meeting income thresholds. "We have no figures, but we know of minors who had to return to their countries of origin, and parents who left to join them," she said.

Unicef Andorra's director general, Dàmaris Castellanos, emphasised child protection amid the debate. Andorra has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, she noted, requiring authorities to prioritise children's best interests regardless of administrative, family or economic circumstances. "The rights of children are non-negotiable, under no circumstances," Castellanos stated.

Reunification now demands sponsors show minimum income (100% of the minimum wage for adults, 70% for minors), full health insurance, and three months of legal residency. The Concòrdia party questioned the government in late December about EES denials and their effects. Residents' associations plan to contribute to a youth forum study on migration challenges, including family separations for work abroad.