Ceuta conducts new population count due to uncertainty over the number of minor immigrants

Ceuta has been facing a migration crisis since last Thursday, after thousands of Moroccan migrants entered the Spanish autonomous community by swimming. Morocco claims that migration management is a 'shared responsibility,' but points to the Spanish Supreme Court's decision as a factor that fueled this scenario.

The Spanish Supreme Court had decided on July 8 that the provision of the Foreigners Law regarding the rejection of illegal immigrants at the border, known as 'hot returns,' would only apply if the migrant crossed physical 'containment elements,' such as jumping a barrier. Since there are no physical barriers in the sea, those who arrive swimming to Ceuta (or the enclave of Melilla) must undergo the ordinary return procedure, which includes the right to an interview and the possibility of applying for asylum, dispensing with the summary border rejection procedure.

Morocco warned Spain about the Supreme Court's decision

A source from the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a meeting with international news agencies, stated that 'Morocco assumes its responsibilities (...). It is a commitment, not a political speech or propaganda. (...) Morocco does not act under pressure, nor blackmail, nor as quid pro quo.' The same source mentioned that cooperation with Madrid remains close but expressed disappointment with certain reactions from Spanish politicians, accusing them of using the crisis for electoral purposes.

The issue of disinformation

For its part, the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior indicated on Sunday that the events in Ceuta were caused by the dissemination of disinformation on social media, the actions of human trafficking networks, and a mistaken interpretation of legal and administrative norms. The entity emphasized that recent determinations by Spanish judicial authorities regarding the limitation of immediate repatriation of irregular migrants intercepted at sea contributed to the situation, as misleading disclosures about such measures reinforced the belief among some aspiring emigrants that they could avoid immediate deportation.

On Monday, Spanish intelligence services (CNI) released a preliminary report on the case, detailing that Morocco did not plan the departure of thousands of people from its territory, although it contributed to what happened. According to the document, which El País had access to, Morocco did not orchestrate the events, but it also did not take measures to prevent them. This occurred because the country was aware of the false news circulating on social media after the Supreme Court's decision and also knew that many people were attempting the crossing during July.

The president of the Ceuta region, Juan Jesús Vivas, expressed being 'outraged by what happened' and considered that the President of Morocco demonstrated that he was not a 'reliable' person. In an interview with El País, the governor described the current climate in Ceuta as one of 'sadness, unease, concern, and anguish,' classifying the event not as a migration crisis, but as an 'attack, a violation of Spain's territorial integrity.' He argued that since 'Morocco showed us that it is not reliable,' there is no alternative but to implement all necessary means to prevent future occurrences, warning that the border cannot be subject to the 'constant uncertainty of when Morocco, on any given day, will open its doors and let everyone in.'

EU meeting scheduled for Tuesday

Portugal will participate in this meeting with the Minister of the Interior, Luís Neves. Authorities reported that, since Thursday, more than 71 people have died while trying to reach Ceuta by swimming. This incident generated reactions from various European leaders; countries such as Italy, Denmark, Finland, the Czech Republic, and Sweden requested the suspension of Spain from the Schengen Area, while others, including Portugal, called for reinforced border controls, fearing that the thousands of people who entered Ceuta might access mainland Spain and use free movement to continue their journey across Europe.

Ceuta, a small territory located in the northernmost tip of Morocco and bathed by the Strait of Gibraltar, is one of the two land borders between Africa and Europe, along with the Spanish enclave of Melilla.

According to sources from the Ceuta government, about 900 children, all of whom are Moroccan citizens, are in three reception centers—La Esperanza, Tarajal Nueva Esperanza, and Pinners.

However, the regional government warned that many minors may be in illegal locations in the city, especially in the mountains, or have not yet been found by local police, who are moving teenagers and young people to appropriate shelters.

Authorities believe that the number of minors under protection may change in the coming hours and exceed a thousand, although it was reported that some of these young people voluntarily returned to Morocco with parents who made an illegal crossing from Morocco.

Nevertheless, local police continue to search for these Moroccans, presumably minors, to hand them over to state-run institutions.

The autonomous Spanish city of Ceuta, located in North Africa, recorded the entry of thousands of migrants from Morocco last week. Local authorities estimate the number of arrivals to be close to 60,000, which is almost as many as permanently reside there. Most migrants have already voluntarily returned to Morocco, according to the Spanish Ministry of the Interior.

According to the latest official report, at least 71 people died trying to reach Ceuta by swimming since Thursday. This incident prompted a reaction from several European leaders, including countries such as Italy, Denmark, Finland, Czechia, and Sweden, who demanded the suspension of Spain's participation in the Schengen area of free movement, and called on other countries, including Portugal, to strengthen border control for fear that thousands of people who reached Ceuta could enter mainland Spain and use the freedom of movement to travel to the rest of Europe.

A delegation of the Government and the executive branch of Seuta reported in a joint statement that both administrations convened a coordination meeting to discuss the emergency migration situation the city is facing.

Consequences of migration pressure

This situation has caused 'extreme pressure' on existing reception resources, leading to the collapse of the system for protecting minors and the overcrowding of the Center for Temporary Stay of Immigrants (CETI).

Coordination and response

According to these same sources, the Government Delegation and the autonomous city maintain 'constant contact and constant coordination' to meet the most urgent needs arising from this situation. The goal is to ensure an effective response in humanitarian, social, and security spheres.

Both administrations also 'urgently' brought this situation to the highest institutional level and agreed that 'the scale of migration pressure currently experienced by Seuta requires an extraordinary and immediate response.'

Furthermore, they emphasized that they will continue to work together and maintain all channels of institutional cooperation to counteract the current situation.