Nearly 48,000 migrants returned to Morocco after Ceuta influx

Spanish authorities report that approximately 48,000 of the nearly 60,000 migrants who recently entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco have returned. The unprecedented surge saw thousands of individuals, primarily young men, swim or climb fences to reach the North African territory that belongs to Spain.

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I see what has happened as an attack, a violation of Spain's territorial integrity.

The situation prompted Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to condemn the mass border crossing as an "attack" and a "violation of Spain's territorial integrity." He suggested that rumors spread by human smuggling mafias, possibly stemming from a recent Spanish court ruling that prevents immediate return for those arriving by sea, fueled the influx. Spain deployed military forces, including naval teams, to manage the situation and secure the border.

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The decision by the Spanish government to grant citizenship to 500,000 illegally arrived Africans has exacerbated problems for the country and Europe. It acts as an incentive for new attempts to illegally cross the border.

In Germany, the events in Ceuta have sparked calls for stricter border controls. Ginter Krings, deputy leader of the ruling Christian Democrats' parliamentary group, urged immediate talks with Morocco to prevent further large-scale migration to Europe. He criticized Spain's immigration policies, including a reported plan to grant legal status to 500,000 undocumented migrants, arguing it acts as a magnet for illegal crossings and undermines EU agreements.

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Whoever rewards illegal arrivals gets more illegal arrivals.

Manuel Osterman, head of the German police union DPolG, also called for "robust border security." The events have led France to increase controls on its internal Schengen border with Spain, and Italy has temporarily suspended the Schengen agreement concerning Spain. Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker described the situation as a "warning signal" that should not have a place within the European Union.

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Robust border security is needed.