Spain and Morocco have bolstered the border fence of a Spanish enclave to curb mass crossings following a surge of tens of thousands of people arriving by sea and land. The leader of the Spanish enclave in North Africa, Juan Jesus Vivas, reported that about 60,000 individuals had entered Ceuta in recent days, resulting in at least 57 casualties.
By Friday evening, an estimated 48,300 migrants had voluntarily returned to Morocco, as confirmed by Spain’s Interior Ministry. The sudden influx of migrants into Ceuta, a small Spanish territory protruding into the Mediterranean from Morocco, caused shock and discord in Europe. France announced increased border checks with Spain, while Italy threatened to suspend Spain from the European Union’s internal open border scheme.
Moroccan authorities at the gates of Ceuta deployed water cannon trucks to deter crossings and resorted to using force like batons and tear gas to prevent further incursions. The aftermath of clashes included a bus and seven cars in ruins near the border.
Spanish authorities vowed to expedite the expulsion of those who entered illegally despite a court ruling limiting immediate expulsions under special “border rejection” rules. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the mass crossings as a violation of Spain’s territorial sovereignty and urged Morocco to heighten efforts to stem the flow of people.
Ceuta and Melilla, another Spanish autonomous city in northern Morocco, serve as the European Union’s sole land borders with Africa. Both cities, each home to around 85,000 residents, periodically witness spikes in attempted migrant crossings, but the scale of the recent surge was unprecedented.
Factors contributing to the surge, according to Territorial Policy Minister Angel Victor Torres, may include a recent ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court barring immediate returns of migrants intercepted at sea en route to Ceuta or Melilla.
Migrants often swim from the Moroccan towns of Fnideq or Belyounech to reach Ceuta, covering distances of about five kilometers or less. Despite reinforced security on the Moroccan side, groups of migrants sought alternative routes along the coast, with some preparing to swim across.
Migration remains a contentious issue across Europe, especially as right-wing parties gain traction. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced a fivefold increase in police presence at the Spanish border, with additional aerial surveillance and train patrols.
The EU’s internal Schengen Area typically operates without border checks, but temporary measures can be enforced in exceptional circumstances. Various European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, expressed intentions to safeguard borders and potentially suspend Schengen Area agreements with Spain.
In the U.S., President Donald Trump labeled the Ceuta crossings as an “invasion,” warning of similar scenarios if Republicans are not elected in the upcoming midterm elections. Despite the firm stance of Spain’s Socialist government against illegal crossings, it acknowledges the economic contributions of immigrants and recently offered a mass amnesty program.
Amidst the escalating debate, Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani criticized Spain’s citizenship grants to irregular immigrants, prompting a response from Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares advocating for solidarity over partisan politics.