Almost All Immigrants in Ceuta Have Returned to Morocco

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has asserted that almost all immigrants who previously breached the Ceuta enclave have now been returned to Morocco. Albares also called for an immediate end to all forms of misinformation regarding the border crisis.

“Travel from Ceuta and Melilla to mainland Spain is impossible without identification at police checkpoints,” Albares stated via his official X account on Friday. He emphasised that the security systems in this EU frontier region remain under the full control of law enforcement, adding, “The integrity of the Schengen area can be fully guaranteed. Stop all intentional misinformation.”

Previously, the Spanish news agency EFE reported that hundreds of immigrants continued to move across the border out of Ceuta to return to Morocco. This mass repatriation is occurring alongside a bilateral repatriation agreement between the Spanish Government and Morocco. In addition to repatriation measures, immigrants have chosen to return because shops, supermarkets, and restaurants in Ceuta have opted to close due to the emergency situation, making it difficult to access basic necessities such as food and drinking water.

To anticipate any subsequent waves, the Spanish Civil Guard, alongside the Regulares No. 54 unit of the Spanish Army, has been strictly deployed along the Tarajal coastline to deter immigrants attempting to enter via sea routes. Spanish authorities have noted that the migration crisis in Ceuta has resulted in at least 57 fatalities so far.

Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has taken a hardline stance regarding the mass exodus from North Africa. Sanchez described the influx of immigrants into Ceuta since Thursday as an “attack” and a “violation of the territorial integrity of Spain.” He promised that the government would take swift action to restore order and security at the border as quickly as possible.