22 EU States Criticize Spain's Migration Policy After Ceuta Crisis

A new rift has opened within the European Union over Spain's migration policy after a surge of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Twenty-two EU member states, including Romania, Germany, Italy, and Poland, have sent a joint letter to the EU's leadership criticizing Madrid's approach. They argue that Spain's plan to grant legal status to up to 1.2 million migrants already in the country could incentivize illegal border crossings into the bloc.

The letter, initiated by Italy and Denmark, warns that the EU must effectively deter and combat illegal migration by strengthening external borders and eliminating policies that act as pull factors. The signatories expressed concern that the situation in Ceuta, where around 50,000 migrants entered from Morocco, raises questions about the security of the EU's external borders. They are prepared to support the temporary reintroduction of internal Schengen border controls if necessary.

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We have the duty to effectively deter and relentlessly combat illegal migration, by coordinating our actions, strengthening our external borders and eliminating all policies that can act as pull factors, such as the regularization of a very large number of migrants in an irregular situation.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has rejected these criticisms, accusing the other member states of "egoism." He maintains that the regularization program is not linked to the Ceuta events and that the migrants who entered illegally do not qualify. According to Spanish authorities, the program is for individuals residing in Spain before January 1, 2026, and the application period has already closed. Sánchez further criticized the proposals to suspend temporary border controls, calling them a political maneuver.

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egoism