Local Reaction to Planned Migrant Camp in Ceuta

Residents in Ceuta have expressed their deep concerns over plans for a new migrant camp set to be built alarmingly close to a children’s nursery. This comes amid reports of sexual assaults tied to migrants who recently arrived in the city.

Currently, thousands of undocumented migrants remain in Ceuta, many of whom are living in makeshift tents on the beach. In response, the government has decided it’s time to build more stable accommodations for these individuals.

The proposed camp, intended to house around 900 migrants, will be situated in the Los Rosales area, just behind the old prison. Alarmingly, it’s only a short distance from a newly established nursery school that is expected to welcome children shortly.

According to reports from a local broadcaster, parents and educators have protested against the camp, voicing their fears regarding the safety of the children. One resident articulated the sentiment clearly: “We’re concerned because the children won’t be able to study next to a settlement for, well, who knows how many Moroccans.”

Another nearby resident pointed out that wealthier individuals in the city center are not the ones dealing with the consequences of housing migrants. “It’s always us on the outskirts who shoulder the burden,” they remarked.

Rather than reconsidering the location of the camp or opting to send the migrants back to Morocco, the local authorities are reportedly exploring options to relocate the children to different daycare facilities within the city.

The establishment of these migrant camps has also sparked tension among the migrants themselves. Recently, there have been reports of police firing warning shots as fights broke out among groups trying to enter a temporary shelter.

Concerns about setting up migrant camps near educational institutions seem justifiable. The chief prosecutor of Ceuta, Silvia Rojas, indicated that authorities have been notified of a sexual assault almost every day since the influx began in July. Disturbingly, this includes several reported assaults against children, with the youngest victim being only 10 years old.