Spain has largely reversed a massive influx of migrants into its North African enclave of Ceuta, with thousands voluntarily returning to Morocco after crossing the border by land and sea. Spain's Interior Ministry estimated that around 50,000 people crossed into Ceuta since Thursday morning, with about 25,000 already heading back. Ceuta’s regional president, Juan Jesus Vivas, stated that as many as 60,000 migrants entered within 24 hours, approximately 70% of the city’s population, and reported 34 deaths related to the crossing. Earlier, Spanish authorities had found 19 bodies in the water.

Moroccan forces used batons and tear gas to prevent more migrants from storming the border. Spain’s Guardia Civil police association noted there were too few officers to monitor the fence during the surge, which escalated rapidly after a slow trickle of arrivals following a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling. This ruling stated that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla cannot be summarily returned under special rules.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the breach as a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity and blamed human smugglers for deceiving migrants and causing deaths. Territorial Policy Minister Angel Victor Torres cited the court ruling as a contributing factor to the surge, though some rights activists in Morocco expressed skepticism that the ruling was widely known among migrants.

The surge far exceeds previous migration waves, including the roughly 8,000 arrivals over two days in May 2021, which Spain had declared a national crisis. Vivas called on Madrid to declare a national emergency and reinforce the border to ensure citizen safety.

Internationally, France increased border checks with Spain, and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni threatened to suspend Spain from the EU's Schengen Area, signaling concerns over border security.

In the United States, White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller warned that Democrats would welcome a similar border collapse if they regain power, referencing the Ceuta surge as a warning. Former President Donald Trump echoed this sentiment in a Fox News interview, suggesting the U.S. could face a similar crisis within three years under a future Democratic administration.

At least 41 migrants died attempting the crossing, many by drowning or in a stampede near the Tarajal border crossing, according to local Civil Guard representatives.

Sources