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馃嚜馃嚫 Spain · Algeciras

CATE Algeciras

Reception centre Former government property 📍 Puerto de Algeciras, 11201 Algeciras, C谩diz Capacity: 600 Converted: 2018

Was: State-owned port authority infrastructure (Autoridad Portuaria de la Bah铆a de Algeciras).

CATE Algeciras (Centro de Atenci贸n Temporal de Extranjeros) is a primary reception and identification facility located within the Port of Algeciras infrastructure (utilizing areas such as the Muelle de Crinavis). It is administered by the Spanish National Police in coordination with humanitarian organizations.

Context & Operations: Inaugurated in August 2018 during a period of high maritime arrivals across the Strait of Gibraltar, the facility acts as a first-response holding centre. Migrants arriving by sea are held for a maximum of 72 hours for identity verification, fingerprinting, and security screening, while the Red Cross (Cruz Roja) provides emergency medical triage and basic humanitarian relief upon disembarkation.

Conditions: Built to replace overwhelmed makeshift processing areas in local sports pavilions, the CATE operates as a closed administrative facility. Despite its large baseline capacity, it frequently experiences severe logistical strain during peaks in border crossings, drawing continued monitoring from legal observers and human rights bodies regarding processing conditions.

Location

Official contacts & outreach

Requests we have sent to councils, mayors and local authorities about this facility, with the status of their response.

Subdelegaci贸n del Gobierno en C谩diz Local authority Awaiting response
  • Requested: 8 Oct 2026

What we asked: 1. Please provide a detailed demographic and statistical breakdown (including country of origin, age demographics, and religious affiliation, if recorded) of the individuals held at CATE Algeciras since its establishment in 2018.
2. What was the total financial expense, including maintenance, catering, and security contracts, for the operation of the facility over the last three financial years?
3. Please provide copies of any formal community consultation documents or correspondence with the Algeciras City Council and the Port Authority regarding the local community's consent and whether they were consulted about the placement of this holding facility in the port.

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