Spain’s Foreign Minister Discusses Migrant Situation in Ceuta
On Tuesday, Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Álvarez emphasized that all illegal migrants who entered Ceuta would be “sent back,” provided they haven’t already reached the mainland and other parts of Europe. However, he didn’t specify a timeline for when these deportations would occur or when conditions in Ceuta might return to normal.
During his visit to Ceuta, which took place 12 days after a significant influx of illegal migrants into the city, Álvarez remarked that this visit was unprecedented for a Spanish foreign minister. After discussions with local officials, he reassured reporters that any illegal immigrants still in Ceuta following the recent surge would be returned to their countries, primarily Morocco.
To facilitate this process, Álvarez mentioned his ongoing daily communications with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, although reports indicate that migrants are already arriving on the mainland en route to other European destinations.
“We are working to accelerate the return of those who entered illegally and haven’t left yet,” he stated, claiming that the Moroccan side is prepared to facilitate these returns promptly. He also stressed that these migrants “have not left the city for the peninsula,” implying they remain in Ceuta.
According to Álvarez, the agreement between Madrid and Rabat is clear: every individual who entered Spain illegally will be sent back to Morocco. He attributed the recent surge of migrants in Ceuta to a “misinterpretation” of a Supreme Court ruling that affected law enforcement’s ability to push back migrants arriving by sea. He applauded Morocco’s intent to repatriate unaccompanied Moroccan minors currently in Spain.
The Spanish government has acknowledged that around 72,000 illegal migrants flooded into Ceuta, a city with a population of 87,000. However, there is contention over the current number of migrants still present. Local government president Juan Jesús Vivas contested the government’s figures, insisting that approximately 10,000 illegal migrants remain, many residing in streets, villages, and beaches.
During their meeting, Vivas expressed to Álvarez that the situation in Ceuta is still dire, claiming the city has endured “invasions and violations” of its territorial integrity. He articulated the sentiment of those in Ceuta who feel neglected, urging the central government for more substantial assistance and emphasizing that the current response is insufficient given the circumstances.
Vivas underlined that the city’s only path for migrants should be their return, advocating against granting any documents or asylum to migrants, as this might encourage further attempts to enter the city. While Álvarez noted Vivas’s optimism regarding Morocco’s willingness to assist, Vivas insisted that no concrete timeline for repatriations has been established, stressing the need for all legal measures and resources to expedite the process.
