Spain mirrors Italy with temporary border checks amid migration dispute

Spain is implementing temporary, month-long border checks for travelers arriving by ship or plane, mirroring Italy's recent measures.

The Spanish government, led by Pedro Sánchez, initiated these enhanced controls starting Saturday. This move is a direct response to Italy's border checks on travelers from Spain, which are set to last until at least August 15.

Italy justified its action by citing social media rumors about a potential mass departure towards Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in Morocco. However, reports suggest there's little evidence of migrants reaching the European mainland via Ceuta since late July.

Travel companies and cruise lines have already voiced strong complaints to the Italian government about the border controls, according to La Repubblica. The additional checks between two popular tourist destinations like Spain and Italy could cause significant delays and disruptions.

“

Spain asks Italy to withdraw the border controls, because according to Madrid they are nonsensical: none of the migrants reach the European mainland via Ceuta.

Despite some internal dissent within the Italian government regarding the diplomatic escalation with Spain, the measures are proceeding. Spain had informally requested Italy to cease its controls just three days prior. Madrid argued the Italian measures were pointless, as the migrants who swam to Ceuta in late July, primarily Moroccans, have largely returned to Morocco. Furthermore, passage from Ceuta to mainland Spain requires valid travel documents, which are already subject to checks.

While Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani was reportedly open to Spain's request, he faced opposition from Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, known for his hardline stance on migration, and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Meloni appeared unwilling to grant Sánchez a favor.

The diplomatic friction highlights a stark ideological divide between Sánchez and Meloni. Sánchez is seen as a champion of the progressive European left and humane migration policies, while Meloni leads the far-right and advocates for stricter immigration rules. Meloni has sharply criticized Sánchez's plan to grant legal status to approximately half a million migrants in Spain through an exceptional regularization process.

“

The migrants who swam to Ceuta have largely returned to Morocco. And anyone who wants to travel from the exclave to mainland Spain needs valid travel documents. Extra checks are carried out on that.