What is happening in Ceuta, the Spanish territory bordering Morocco, the scene of a migration crisis

On July 31, 2026, the autonomous city of Ceuta, located on the northern coast of Africa near Morocco, faced one of its most severe migration crises in recent history. According to official figures, nearly 60,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish territory from Morocco within 24 hours, overwhelming local authorities and prompting urgent government intervention. President Pedro Sánchez visited Ceuta to assess the situation, condemning the influx as an attack on Spain’s territorial integrity. He linked the surge to human trafficking networks and highlighted the role of legal changes that prohibited immediate repatriation, known as “hot returns”, of undocumented immigrants arriving by sea. These new rules, enacted after a Supreme Court ruling, triggered a chain reaction, leading to a sharp increase in arrivals. The scale of the crisis was unprecedented. By midday on Friday, over 25,000 migrants had voluntarily returned to Morocco, with the rate reaching 150 individuals per minute. This number far exceeded the previous record set during the 2021 crisis, when more than 10,000 migrants entered illegally. As of late afternoon, the Spanish Interior Ministry estimated that approximately 48,300 had been repatriated, while the mayor of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, placed the total number of arrivals at 60,000. With a population of around 83,600, this influx represented roughly 70% of the city's residents, creating a dire humanitarian challenge. Authorities confirmed that at least 41 bodies were recovered along Ceuta’s coastline since the start of the mass entry. This figure brings the annual death toll from migrant crossings to 71, surpassing the 46 recorded in 2025. Many of these fatalities occurred during attempts to cross the Mediterranean Sea, often under dangerous conditions. The bodies found include both adults and children, underscoring the tragic consequences of the ongoing crisis. Local officials described the situation as unsustainable, with infrastructure and emergency services stretched beyond capacity. Experts consulted by AFP suggested several factors contributed to the surge. One key element was the Supreme Court’s ruling earlier in July, which invalidated the practice of hot returns for maritime arrivals. This decision effectively created a loophole, allowing migrants to enter without facing immediate deportation. In response, the Spanish government announced plans to amend immigration laws to ensure border controls remain effective. However, the policy shift has already sparked controversy, with some arguing it has exacerbated the crisis rather than resolved it. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the situation, drawing parallels between Ceuta and potential future scenarios in America should Democrats win the 2028 elections. “It’s terrible,” he remarked, warning that similar conditions could arise in the United States if the opposing party gains power. His comments reflect growing concerns among European leaders, who have called for Spain’s temporary suspension from the Schengen Agreement, a move that would restrict free movement across borders. Such measures highlight the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding migration management and border security. As the crisis continues, the focus remains on managing the flow of migrants and addressing the humanitarian needs of those affected. Local authorities are working closely with national agencies to coordinate efforts, including medical aid, shelter, and legal assistance. The long-term implications of the crisis remain uncertain, but one thing is clear: the situation has tested the resilience of Spain’s border policies and exposed deep-seated challenges in handling large-scale migration flows.