Aquarius migrants seek asylum, except 15 who face deportation

In total, 629 were rescued and 608 have filed for refugee status.

They were granted an immediate 45-day visa on humanitarian grounds, which will be extended until their asylum application is accepted or rejected and any appeal channels against the latter result exhausted.

But for those who have not applied, their visas are fast running out, meaning they may not be able to remain in the country.

Of the 21 in limbo, six are unaccompanied minors who are under a different régime – the regional governments where they are currently residing will keep them in care or in foster homes.

A further 71 of the migrants who arrived in Valencia on June 17 were reported to be minors, although doubts have been expressed about the ages of five of them, who may in fact be over 18.

Two, at least, are likely to be decreed 'adults', although the other three are expected to appeal against the decision, maintaining that they are, indeed, still aged under 18.

As yet, it is not known how many asylum applications have been agreed or rejected.

Spanish immigration law dictates that all requests for refugee status must be acknowledged in writing within one calendar month, after which authorities have a further six months to decide.

Those granted refugee status are then supported and accompanied by charities, funded by the State, during their 'integration period', which is normally between six and 18 months, depending upon their circumstances.

This gives them time to learn the language if necessary and to train, retrain or 'convert' existing education or skills to enable them to look for a job, as well as assistance in searching and finding one and on seeking somewhere to live.

To date, 78 of the 629 have moved to France at their express wish – a decision largely based upon native language – whilst another two are set to travel there once they are out of hospital.

Of the others, the majority, about 169, are in the Valencia region at present, with half as many in Andalucía and much smaller numbers – between 5% and 10% of the total – in Murcia, Aragón, Madrid, Navarra, the Balearic Islands, Catalunya, Castilla y León, Galicia, the Basque Country, Extremadura, Cantabria, and Castilla-La Mancha, in descending order.

Only Asturias, La Rioja and the Canary Islands have not been allocated any of the Aquarius refugees.