Ceuta is facing a backlog of asylum applications, leaving over 2,000 refugees in limbo. Many, including Palestinians, have waited weeks for updates. Authorities have promised new measures, but the process remains stalled.
Italy is maintaining strict checks on travelers from Spain and has called Madrid's reciprocal controls unacceptable. The dispute follows mass arrivals in Ceuta and renewed concerns over border security, with both governments defending their actions.
Moroccan writer Tahar Ben Jelloun questions why authorities allowed thousands of young people to head toward Ceuta. He warns of political consequences for Spain and points to European hypocrisy over migration.
A detailed analysis finds the July mass crossing into Ceuta was planned and coordinated. Organizers used social media to recruit participants and conceal their identities. Economic motives and new tactics are complicating detection.
Spain has reinstated border checks for travelers arriving from Italy. Police are now inspecting documents for 5-10% of passengers on selected flights. The move follows Italy’s refusal to lift its own restrictions on Spanish arrivals.
Spain has issued an ultimatum to Italy, demanding the removal of border checks for Spanish travellers. If Rome does not comply by Sunday, Madrid will impose reciprocal measures. The dispute follows Italy's suspension of Schengen rules.
Moroccan NGOs now report 141 deaths linked to the recent mass crossing at Ceuta. Official figures remain contested, and dozens face prosecution as authorities investigate the tragedy.
Ceuta’s maritime rescue teams faced unprecedented pressure as hundreds of migrants, including families with children, attempted to cross the border by sea. The scale of the crisis forced urgent action and exposed the limits of available resources.
Ceuta remains under strain after thousands crossed from Morocco. Overcrowded shelters and the fate of unaccompanied minors are fueling tensions between regions and Madrid. Local services are stretched far beyond capacity.
Morocco is open to accepting unaccompanied minors born in the country who are currently in Spain. Rabat insists, but, that Spain must first remove legal and administrative hurdles. The issue follows a surge in border crossings.
Ceuta’s president warns the EU that the city’s security depends on Morocco, which does not recognize Spanish sovereignty. Spanish ministers skipped a basic European Parliament session, while the city remains under pressure.
Ceuta’s border with Morocco, once a symbol of coexistence, now faces strict controls and rising tension. Residents recall easier times as migration and political disputes reshape daily life and cross-border commerce.
King Felipe VI will receive Ceuta's president in Mallorca after a record migrant influx. The Royal Household has stressed the King's concern and clarified his message to Morocco. The meeting was not on the official agenda.
Moroccan prosecutors in Tetouan have charged 25 people with organizing irregular crossings into Ceuta. The case follows a surge of migrants at the border, and the charges include unauthorized transport and attacks on security forces.
From August 1, 2026, Italy has reintroduced border checks for passengers arriving from Spain by air or sea. Linked to recent migration events in Ceuta, the move requires travelers to carry valid identification and, for non-EU citizens, proof of their legal right to stay in the Schengen Area.
Spain's National Court has asked the Guardia Civil to clarify whether it received prior warnings before more than 70,000 migrants entered Ceuta. The investigation focuses on possible missed alerts and the response of border forces.
Trampolín Beach in Ceuta now shelters hundreds of migrants awaiting a decision on their asylum requests. With official centers full, many face harsh sun and scarce resources, while police and NGOs struggle to manage the growing humanitarian challenge.
The Spanish government has approved €25 million to support unaccompanied minors in Ceuta. The move follows a sharp increase in irregular crossings from Morocco. Authorities confirm 75 deaths linked to the crisis.
Fernando Grande-Marlaska says no intelligence service warned of the mass entry into Ceuta. The government insists it received no advance report on the unprecedented scale of the crossing, while Spain highlights its cooperation with Morocco amid the crisis.
Spain's Interior Ministry has instructed police to immediately return migrants swimming to Ceuta. A similar floating barrier is planned for Melilla, prompting debate over border control and legal protections.
Morocco denies using pressure or blackmail during the Ceuta migration crisis. Rabat blames a Spanish Supreme Court ruling for weakening border controls and triggering the influx.
Five days after more than 40,000 migrants swam into Ceuta, the city remains divided. Central areas appear calm under heavy police control, while the outskirts struggle with overcrowding and uncertainty.
The Partido Popular has intensified pressure on the government after thousands crossed into Ceuta. PP leaders have avoided direct criticism of Morocco, focusing instead on Madrid’s response. Parliamentary action and legal reforms are now on the table.
Ursula von der Leyen praised Spain and Morocco for handling the Ceuta border crisis. She says the EU must reinforce its external borders to protect Schengen. The call comes amid ongoing migration pressures.
Spain’s National Court has requested a detailed police report on the recent mass entry of migrants into Ceuta. The move follows a complaint alleging criminal organization and threats to state security. The court must now decide whether it has jurisdiction.
Spain calls for EU solidarity after more than 50,000 people cross into Ceuta. The government criticizes Italy for suspending Schengen rules and highlights Morocco's cooperation. The crisis exposes divisions within Europe over migration.
Ceuta neighborhoods have put up barriers and organized patrols to keep migrants out after a mass entry from Morocco. Many young migrants are now hiding in wooded areas, avoiding residents and military patrols.
Ceuta’s provisional morgue is nearing capacity after a surge in migrant deaths at the border. Conflicting official counts and ongoing recoveries highlight the scale of the crisis. Authorities intensify identification and return efforts.
A group of migrants attempted to swim to Ceuta through dense fog. Spanish soldiers intervened when one man was left struggling in the water. The incident highlights ongoing risks at the El Tarajal border.
Spanish authorities have installed a 500-metre floating barrier at the Ceuta border. The measure is intended to stop sea crossings and allow immediate returns to Morocco. It follows a Supreme Court decision on border expulsions.
Italy has begun random checks on passengers arriving from Spain, temporarily suspending Schengen rules in response to the Ceuta migrant crisis. The controls cover airports and ports, raising concerns about summer tourism and travel flows.
Alberto Núñez Feijóo called the incident at the Ceuta border a 'premeditated occupation' and accused the government of failing to act. The Partido Popular leader is demanding urgent action and criticizing the regularization of undocumented migrants.
Spain’s position in North Africa is under renewed pressure. Asymmetric strategies and shifting alliances are challenging Madrid’s control over Ceuta, Melilla, and the Canary Islands, raising the stakes for Spanish foreign policy.
Despite official claims, many migrants remain in Ceuta. Security forces and residents are working to restore order after the recent surge, but isolated incidents and uncertainty persist across the city.
More than 60,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta from Morocco within days, overwhelming local resources. Authorities blamed Morocco’s lack of border control. At least 57 people died during the crossing.
