France to Boost Spanish Border Controls Amid Major Migrant Influx into Ceuta

France is set to bolster controls at its border with Spain following a substantial surge in migrant arrivals into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the deployment of a "Rapid Intervention Border Force" designed for thorough checks.

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I spoke with my Spanish counterpart yesterday, and we are due to speak again today.

Nuñez stated he would be discussing the situation with his Spanish counterpart. He confirmed that "thousands" of migrants crossed the border from Morocco into Ceuta overnight, making it impossible for police sources to provide an exact count. Spanish Interior Ministry figures cited by Reuters indicated that 49,000 migrants had entered the Spanish enclave during the night.

This influx represents the largest since 2021 and is composed mainly of young men and adolescents. According to police sources, 18 migrants died during the crossing. The situation prompted Nuñez to announce the activation of the "Rapid Intervention Border Force for in-depth controls" via X, formerly Twitter.

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I gave instructions last night (Thursday night) to immediately reinforce controls at the Spanish border.

"We have a control at the Franco-Spanish border, it exists, and it has been reinforced in recent months," Nuñez reminded listeners on RTL radio. "We have a mobile force present permanently. We will obviously take measures if there are movements towards the national territory. In any case, we will obviously reinforce border control."

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We have a control at the Franco-Spanish border, it exists, and it has been reinforced in recent months. We have a mobile force present permanently. We will obviously take measures if there are movements towards the national territory. In any case, we will obviously reinforce border control.