Ceuta President Demands Migrant 'Confinement' Amidst Unprecedented Arrival Crisis

Juan Jesús Vivas, the president of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, has called for migrants who arrived illegally to be "confined" in designated areas while their expulsion processes are handled. This plea comes after an unprecedented surge of migrants, estimated between 72,000 and 8,000-11,000 currently remaining, entered the territory from Morocco.

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We must set up a space that would function as a detention center for foreigners, where these people can be placed and remain confined.

Vivas described the situation on the ground as "untenable" and "unacceptable," emphasizing that the migrants' freedom of movement should be restricted until their expulsion cases are finalized. He urgently requested a "state plan" to restore normalcy to Ceuta, a Spanish territory located on the North African coast. The president's stance reflects growing political tension between the central government in Madrid and local authorities regarding the management of the migrant crisis.

While Vivas advocates for confinement, the Spanish Minister of Territorial Policy, Ángel Víctor Torres, has focused on other aspects of the crisis. Torres acknowledged the difficult situation and expressed support for the local population, noting that security measures in Ceuta have been increased by 40%, with higher numbers of Civil Guard, army, and police personnel deployed. He also highlighted the importance of family reunification for unaccompanied minors arriving in Ceuta, without directly addressing Vivas's proposal for confinement or expulsions.

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Their freedom of movement will be restricted until their expulsion file is processed and finalized.

The situation has also seen significant local mobilization, with organizers reporting a demonstration of over 10,000 people demanding action, though police figures were lower. The debate over how to manage the influx and process the migrants underscores the complex challenges faced by Spain and its enclaves in dealing with irregular migration.

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I have addressed 'a message of support' to the local population, assuring that 'I perfectly understand the situation'.