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Spain: Most of 50,000 migrants who arrived in Ceuta have returned to Morocco

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Over 50,000 migrants who swam to Spain's Ceuta enclave from Morocco have returned to their home country under Spanish authority.
  • The influx of migrants, which included at least 67 deaths at sea, overwhelmed the Spanish territory in North Africa.
  • European far-right parties are using the incident to intensify anti-immigration rhetoric, while Spain's prime minister defends its policies.

Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta saw a massive influx of over 50,000 migrants who swam from Morocco, but most have since returned home under Spanish control. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska announced that the situation had returned to normal, though at least 67 people died attempting the crossing.

almost all of them have left for their country of origin

— Fernando Grande-MarlaskaSpanish Interior Minister announcing the return of migrants.

The unprecedented crisis saw more than 50,000 individuals arrive on Ceuta's shores on May 30 and 31, many swimming up to 5 kilometers to bypass border fortifications. This event far surpassed a previous crisis in May 2021 when 10,000 migrants entered Ceuta.

Speculation suggests Morocco may have deliberately eased border controls in response to Spain's recent diplomatic shift regarding Western Sahara. Meanwhile, European far-right parties, including Italy's Brothers of Italy led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, have seized on the incident. They criticize Spain's perceived "pro-immigration" policies, pointing to a recent Spanish government plan to legalize up to one million undocumented immigrants.

an unprecedented crisis for Spain

— Le MondeDescribing the scale of the migrant arrival.

Meloni's government announced a temporary suspension of the Schengen Agreement with Spain, a move supported by Denmark and Finland. Leaders from 22 EU countries have called for an emergency meeting of interior ministers to discuss the situation. Far-right figures like Marine Le Pen in France and former U.S. President Donald Trump have used the events to advocate for stricter border controls.

This is the Sánchez model that the Italian left likes so much.

— Brothers of ItalyCriticizing Spain's immigration policies on social media.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has refuted these claims, citing statistics that show Spain has received fewer migrants than Italy in recent years. He argued that the Schengen suspension and similar reactions violate European principles of solidarity and humanitarian law, calling such "selfish responses" unacceptable.

France must strengthen its border controls without delay. In 2027, we will end this madness by allowing free movement within the Schengen area only for European citizens.

— Marine Le PenAdvocating for stricter border controls on X.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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