EU, Spain and Italy respond to mass migrant crossings into Ceuta from Morocco

The massive and sudden influx of 60,000 migrants into Spain’s enclave of Ceuta, located in the north of Morocco, has triggered a crisis for Spain, and the European Union. How big an influx? The numbers of migrants suddenly flowing into Ceuta is outsized for the territory’s population of 80,000. Some 60,000 migrants have so far entered over the past two or three days, estimated the local regional president Juan Jesus Vivas. Around 200 migrants were arriving “every minute”, according to Ignacio Cembrero, a journalist specialised in migration in North Africa. Spain’s interior ministry counted 25,000 who have since left Ceuta to return to Morocco, Spain’s interior minister said later on Friday. The scale is far bigger than that in May 2021 when, over a few days, some 12,000 migrants flowed into Ceuta, according to the Ceuta and Melilla Observatory. Is Morocco facilitating? According to Cembrero, since Wednesday it appeared that Moroccan security forces “have been sitting on their hands”. “To reach the breakwater that marks the border between Ceuta and Morocco, there are cordons of police and auxiliary forces, and it’s obvious they’ve been allowed through. Otherwise, this would not have happened,” he said. Carolos Echeverria, the head of the Ceuta and Melilla Observatory, said that there was an argument to use the controversial term “invasion” because “thousands of people cross an international border illegally, exerting pressure on a neighbour”. Why now? According to experts consulted by AFP, there are several possible explanations. One would be the ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court on July 8, which determined that the immediate return of a migrant without opening an administrative expulsion procedure does not apply in the case of sea arrivals. “Without a doubt, the July 8 ruling … has played a role. But that doesn’t explain the level of mobilisation, which is very high,” Cembrero said. The mass arrival could have been encouraged by Spanish government’s recent move to regularise people who arrived in the country illegally. Or that Spain’s government could change, to be replaced by one with a firmer line on immigration. But both of these hypotheses are difficult to confirm, analysts say. Leverage for Morocco? “The most important thing, the backdrop, is that permanent blackmail” by Morocco, Echeverria said. Analysts say that the recurring migration crises and the alleged laxity of Moroccan security forces are tools of diplomatic pressure. Morocco has claimed sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla since its independence in 1956, while Spain has flatly rejected any negotiation over the two enclaves. According to Cembrero, “the Moroccan authorities have seen an opportunity to force Spain to negotiate the future of these cities”. Faced with this “unacceptable” territorial claim, Echeverria said the issue should be “Europeanised”. “We must obtain retaliatory measures from the European Union, as a member state,” he says.

US President Donald Trump on Friday reacted to the massive migrant influx into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta, using the unfolding crisis to warn that the United States could face a similar situation if Democrats return to power.Speaking to Fox News correspondent Jacqui Heinrich on July 31, Trump pointed to images of the large-scale border crossings in Ceuta and said they served as a warning for the United States.Trump on migrants overrunning Ceuta, Spain:It’s terrible. Remember that picture. That’s going to be us in three years if the wrong side gets in.If the Democrats get in, you will not live a very good life.Source: @JacquiHeinrich pic.twitter.com/kZM7QrDF5j— Clash Report (@clashreport) July 31, 2026 Spain's Ceuta Border Crisis: Thousands Of Migrants Cross From Morocco, Calls Grow For National Emergency And Army Deployment | VIDEO"It's terrible. Remember that picture. That's going to be us in three years if the wrong side gets in," Trump said, referring to the possibility of Democrats winning future elections.He further criticised the Democratic Party's approach to immigration, adding, "If the Democrats get in, you will not live a very good life."Trump's remarks came as Spain grappled with an unprecedented migrant surge in Ceuta, prompting authorities to deploy the military to help manage the crisis. Tens of thousands of migrants entered the Spanish enclave from neighbouring Morocco, overwhelming local authorities and straining emergency services.We’re literally watching Spain get invaded in real time..This is absolutely INSANE. pic.twitter.com/HrdD5fYsjF— American AF (@iAnonPatriot) July 30, 2026 EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen Condemns Ceuta Border Crossings, Vows Support For SpainAccording to officials, at least 18 people died during the mass crossings, underscoring the human cost of the crisis.Ceuta, a Spanish autonomous city on the northern coast of Africa bordering Morocco, has long been a major entry point for irregular migration into Europe. The latest surge has triggered heightened security measures and renewed debate over border protection, migration policies and efforts to combat human smuggling networks.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday condemned the situation at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, calling the scenes emerging from the border "unacceptable" and stressing that the European Union would not tolerate irregular entries into its territory.In a post on her official X account, von der Leyen said the EU's external borders must be protected and insisted that migration should take place in accordance with the bloc's rules. "The images coming from Ceuta are unacceptable. We cannot allow anyone to come to our Union without abiding by our rules," she wrote.She called for an immediate halt to dangerous border crossings, the dismantling of human smuggling networks and the swift return of individuals who are not entitled to remain in the European Union, in line with existing EU regulations.The images coming from Ceuta are unacceptable.We cannot allow anyone to come to our Union without abiding by our rules.Dangerous crossings must stop immediately. Smuggling networks must be dismantled. And returns must be swift, as our rules allow.I tasked two Commissioners…— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) July 31, 2026 Spain's Ceuta Border Crisis: Thousands Of Migrants Cross From Morocco, Calls Grow For National Emergency And Army Deployment | VIDEO"Dangerous crossings must stop immediately. Smuggling networks must be dismantled. And returns must be swift, as our rules allow," von der Leyen said.To address the situation, the European Commission chief said she had tasked two European Commissioners with supporting Spain's efforts to manage the border.According to von der Leyen, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs Magnus Brunner is already working closely with Spanish authorities and is prepared to travel to key locations if necessary. She added that Brunner would coordinate additional operational support for Spain, including assistance through Frontex, the EU's border and coast guard agency.She also said Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica is in contact with her Moroccan counterpart as part of ongoing diplomatic engagement.We’re literally watching Spain get invaded in real time..This is absolutely INSANE. pic.twitter.com/HrdD5fYsjF— American AF (@iAnonPatriot) July 30, 2026 'Italy Will Not Stand By & Watch': PM Giorgia Meloni Threatens To Suspend Schengen Agreement With Spain As Ceuta Migrant Crisis Triggers Border Security Alarm | VideoHer remarks came as Ceuta faced an unprecedented migrant influx, with around 60,000 people reportedly entering the Spanish autonomous city from Morocco over the past 24 hours, according to Ceuta President Juan Jesús Vivas. The number is equivalent to nearly 70 per cent of the city's resident population. The mass crossing also turned deadly, with at least 34 migrants losing their lives.Describing the situation as dire, Vivas said, "The situation that Ceuta is going through is absolutely unsustainable."Expressing confidence in cooperation between the European Union and Morocco, von der Leyen said the two sides' close partnership would help achieve "concrete results" in managing the situation.Lo que esta pasando en Ceuta es gravísimo...-Ceuta tiene 83.595 habitantes.-Los comercio en Ceuta están cerrando las puertas por miedo-Se calculan mas de 3000 marroquís que han saltado y que siguen saltando-El presidente de Ceuta pide que se declare la emergencia nacional… pic.twitter.com/hLxa5dkkeD— (@mysteryWN) July 30, 2026 Historic Gaza Breakthrough: Hamas Accepts Ceasefire Roadmap, Agrees To Relinquish Weapons Under US-Backed Peace PlanThe crisis intensified on Thursday and continued into Friday, as clashes broke out between Moroccan security forces and migrants gathered near the border. Hundreds of migrants assembled on a hill overlooking Ceuta before Moroccan authorities dispersed the crowd using tear gas. Despite the crackdown, many continued attempting to reach Spanish territory by swimming across the border, while others later returned on foot to Morocco.Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who visited Ceuta amid the crisis, condemned the large-scale border breach, describing it as "a violation of Spain's territorial integrity."He also blamed human trafficking networks for exploiting vulnerable migrants, saying smugglers mislead countless young people and often expose them to fatal risks, whether during dangerous sea crossings or at border points such as Ceuta. Miles de marroquíes entraron en España (Ceuta) de forma ilegal al grito de "¡Viva Pedro Sánchez!": la televisión marroquí ya habla de 30.000 pic.twitter.com/PkeCjKe26P— Finanzas Argy (@FinanzasArgy) July 30, 2026 Ceuta, a Spanish territory on the northern coast of Africa bordering Morocco, has long been a key gateway for irregular migration into Europe and remains one of the EU's most sensitive external border points.

Weaponized Migration? 50,000 Military-Aged Men Invade Spanish Enclave Without Supplies As Chaos And Riots Erupt Summary: Europe's Right-Wing Blasts Spanish Socialists For Border Failure Riots erupted in Ceuta as Illegals Clashed with Security Forces Mass Migration Invasion Of Military-Aged Males From Morocco Invades Spanish Enclave  "Looks Like World War Z!": Spain's Ceuta Invaded By Thousands Of Military-Aged Male Illegals Invasion: 50,000 Illegals Invade Spanish Enclave In 24 Hours, Chaos Unfolds  New figures from Spain's Department of National Security indicate that 49,000 people illegally entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta within 24 hours, according to Reuters. Just kidding, this is the actual footage … pic.twitter.com/jYRpSWM24e — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 31, 2026 For context, Ceuta has only about 84,000 residents, meaning the invasion is equivalent to nearly 60% of its population. The population of Cueta is about 85,000 people. The civil guard is apparently reporting that 40,000 Moroccans have flooded in. The romans invaded Britain with the same number. https://t.co/ZeLFY3TEat — Anglo (@TheAnglo_) July 30, 2026 The invasion of tens of thousands, in what only appears to be large numbers of military-aged men traveling without food, shelter, baggage, or money, is difficult to explain as spontaneous migration alone. ESTO ES MUY GRAVE. Me llegan estas imágenes de cómo las autoridades marroquíes vacían camiones llenos de jóvenes cerca de la frontera con Ceuta. Quien no quiera ver que se trata de una operación perfectamente preparada por el régimen, es que es ciego. pic.twitter.com/YpxFAaF7Wb — Taleb Alisalem (@TalebSahara) July 30, 2026 A Moroccan border guard opens a gate and lets through dozens of illegal migrants toward the Spanish border fence in Ceuta. The Moroccan state is coordinating the invasion of Spanish territory. 🇪🇸🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/yqNbW1QEec — Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) July 31, 2026 At minimum, it suggests organized and deliberate, with high amounts of coordination on the Moroccan side. Morocco didn’t send 40,000 of its own people into Ceuta and Melilla all at once, with no food or shelter, by accident. They are using their people to take over Ceuta and Melilla. Now they are breaking in homes, looting, and setting fires, while the people living there are… pic.twitter.com/EUdSRy0r7b — Jammles (@jammles9) July 30, 2026 The immediate effect is to overwhelm Ceuta's border security, law enforcement, housing, and humanitarian capacity. If state-enabled, the operation would fit what can only be described as hybrid or asymmetric warfare: weaponizing migration and civilian populations to impose political pressure while preserving plausible deniability. Earlier this year, Spain's socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez dismissed criticism from Elon Musk and others over his open border globalist policies. His government subsequently granted amnesty to illegal aliens, with Sánchez declaring: "Spain is a welcoming country, and this is the path we choose." In January, Spain's Pedro Sánchez dismissed Elon Musk’s criticism of his immigration policies. Today, thousands of illegal immigrants are pouring across Spain’s border.@elonmusk @sanchezcastejon https://t.co/tPsVzlDOpX pic.twitter.com/ZOLFBi2uq7 — KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) July 30, 2026 The invasion of military-aged Moroccan men that is overwhelming local security and humanitarian services will intensify criticism of Sánchez's unhinged left-wing immigration policies and raise concerns about national security. This will strengthen support among common-sense right-wing politicians across Europe who have been pushing for closed borders. 🇪🇸🇲🇦 Riots erupted in Ceuta as migrants clashed with security forces thoughout the night. There were reports of damage to private property, vehicles being set on fire, businesses being looted, and homes being illegally occupied. Follow: @europa pic.twitter.com/iT8deLYaBf — Europa.com (@europa) July 31, 2026 "In the face of the massive and coordinated influx of migrants into Spain — encouraged by the Spanish government — France must immediately strengthen its border controls," Marine Le Pen of France's right-wing National Rally wrote on X. Italy's right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said her country was prepared "to intervene with extraordinary measures to defend the borders and the safety of citizens, including the suspension of the Schengen Area with Spain." "The images coming from Ceuta show how the Madrid Government's decision to grant Spanish, and therefore European, citizenship to over 500,000 irregular immigrants is profoundly wrong and encourages human trafficking," Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani wrote. The emerging news cycle across the West could very well frame the crisis as a predictable result of the socialists' "suicidal empathy" and nation-killing open border policies. The footage alone could sway undecided voters regarding the consequences of open borders. In the US, Trump and the GOP will almost certainly use the footage against the Democratic Socialists of America and the broader far-left movement, portraying their immigration agenda as an effort to dismantle national borders and linking it directly to the policies pursued under the Biden-Harris regime. "Looks Like World War Z!": Spain's Ceuta Invaded By Thousands Of Military-Aged Male Illegals Shocking footage circulating on X shows thousands of migrants breaching Spain's border into its North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco on Thursday, overwhelming local police and exposing a serious national security failure. The invasion comes shortly after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's Socialist-led government signed up 1 million illegal aliens to legalize their status under a new program to bring them into the workforce. However, the program applied only to migrants already living in Spain before Jan. 1, meaning Thursday's arrivals are ineligible. Sánchez has defended his government's mass amnesty for illegals by claiming Spain's GDP would crater by 20% by 2050 without continued immigration. Sánchez said Spain would lose 19% of its GDP by 2050 - and 22% by 2075 - if migration were sharply reduced, presenting immigration as essential to the country's long-term economic growth. Thousands of fighting age men who invaded Spain today have begun breaking into people's homes, where women and children live. It's an invading army. This is what an invasion looks like. pic.twitter.com/nd99hqT0gw — 𝐍𝐢𝐨𝐡 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐠 🇮🇷 ✡︎ (@NiohBerg) July 30, 2026 North African Muslim criminals have just broken into Spain from Morocco via Ceuta. Europe is under attack. pic.twitter.com/kehj5LHvec — RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) July 30, 2026 Almost entirely men of military age. https://t.co/0oTYCCQXT3 — Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) July 30, 2026 Today's invasion has prompted us to examine whether left-wing NGOs coordinated with or received support from elements of the Spanish government. "We're working on an immediate response to the situation in Ceuta" >Refuses to send in the military for a literal southern border invasion. https://t.co/BhMfIvJDVs — Trad West (@trad_west_) July 30, 2026 No public evidence has established such coordination, making this an outstanding question at the moment. They call it a "liberation" of Ceuta, a handover back to its owners. @mattvanswol is right on the money. It's an invasion. pic.twitter.com/vGPCQjqgTd — DataRepublican (small r) (@DataRepublican) July 30, 2026 Footage: Holy. Shit. Spain's far-left PM Pedro Sanchez gave amnesty to 1,000,000+ illegal immigrants, and now hordes of unvetted men are storming across the border from Africa. It’s the same playbook across the West. These people will destroy our civilization. pic.twitter.com/NcERXfTbPv — Geiger Capital (@Geiger_Capital) July 30, 2026 🇪🇸 Sánchez’s government does not consider the invasion of Ceuta a “national emergency” The Interior Ministry said it will protect border integrity but cannot declare a formal national emergency solely over migration. As a result, Ceuta’s local authorities cannot access special… pic.twitter.com/rXGdIdBNxK — Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) July 30, 2026 🇪🇸 Thousands of African migrants who illegally invaded Spain today are celebrating their arrival Soon, Sánchez’s government will issue them legal documents, and they will disperse across Europe. pic.twitter.com/Yx5YDRrnXy — Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) July 30, 2026 Musk chimed in: Looks like World War Z! https://t.co/GCqWAruEEA — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 30, 2026 In the US, Democratic Socialists of America politicians have unveiled a plan to collapse the nation's borders, similar to what was done under the Biden-Harris regime era, increase sanctuary protections, and grant mass amnesty to all illegals. These policies are nation-killing, as the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas said that housing prices and rents soared when the Biden regime allowed millions of illegals to flood the nation. The most observable threat is that this is a "war on the West" waged by globalists and pushed by the left wing to destroy borders across the Western world. These illegals become voting blocs that displace native-born workers, essentially stealing political power - and the establishment Democratic Party is now learning that the hard way. All in all, the left wing says they're upholding democracy, yet no sane person voted for this invasion by the tens of millions across the West, which was forced down the throats of citizens. Tyler Durden Fri, 07/31/2026 - 06:57

Rome: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Thursday stated that her administration is prepared to implement extraordinary measures, including potentially suspending the Schengen Area agreement with Spain, following a dramatic surge in migrant arrivals in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.#BREAKING | — Ceuta declares “absolute migratory emergency,” demands national emergency and military deploymentSpain’s North African enclave of Ceuta is facing a severe migrant surge. More than 1,500 people, mostly from Morocco, have reached the territory in recent days —… pic.twitter.com/IhY90lcfDT— The Global Eye (@TGEThGlobalEye) July 30, 2026 In a post on X, Meloni highlighted that visual reports from Ceuta serve as "striking evidence that uncontrolled illegal immigration poses a real threat to the security of Europe's borders". She confirmed that she had held direct consultations with Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and that relevant state security apparatuses are being convened to evaluate a formal response.Le immagini che arrivano da Ceuta sono impressionanti e dimostrano, ancora una volta, che l’immigrazione clandestina fuori controllo rappresenta una minaccia concreta per la sicurezza dei confini europei.Mi sono confrontata con il Ministro dell’Interno Matteo Piantedosi.…— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) July 30, 2026 The Italian Prime Minister asserted that Rome does not intend to remain passive as the border situation unfolds. She emphasised that, depending on the determinations of the high-level meetings, Italy stands ready to intervene with extraordinary measures to protect its borders and safeguard its populace, specifically outlining the option of suspending the open-border Schengen agreement with Spain.Sánchez es un traidor, un corrupto y un indecente. Actúa como el enemigo del pueblo español. La emergencia nacional solo puede resolverse echándole y sentándole en el banquillo.#Ceuta pic.twitter.com/yLicTcD6hU— Santiago Abascal (@Santi_ABASCAL) July 30, 2026 Meloni further reaffirmed that her administration's hardline approach towards unauthorised migration remains resolute, prioritising border protection, decisive action against human trafficking networks, and the execution of swift deportations.Seis horas nadando en el mar hasta llegar a Ceuta, dicen los traidores.Entran hasta con bicicleta a cuestas. pic.twitter.com/Fg4BIOASiO— David Santos (@davidsantosvlog) July 30, 2026 Her statements come amidst a rapidly worsening border emergency in Ceuta, a Spanish autonomous territory sharing a land border with Morocco. According to Politico, thousands of migrants have entered the enclave since Wednesday, overwhelming local administrative capacity and prompting severe political fallout over Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's handling of border enforcement.Thousands of Moroccan men CLING on to Ceuta border fence pic.twitter.com/8EVPuLr38r— RT (@RT_com) July 31, 2026 Regional authorities in Ceuta sounded the alarm on Wednesday as a growing influx of migrants arrived via maritime routes. Ceuta President Juan Jesus Vivas described the deteriorating scene as an "absolute humanitarian and social emergency", calling upon the central government in Madrid to intervene immediately.Ayer advertí de la extrema gravedad de la crisis migratoria.Hoy la situación es aún peor: más llegadas, recursos desbordados y una nueva vida perdida en el mar.Ceuta necesita una intervención inmediata, coordinada y con todos los medios necesarios. pic.twitter.com/XfAXnlgzBc— Juan Jesús Vivas Lara (@JuanVivasLara) July 30, 2026 Addressing the situation via X on Thursday, Prime Minister Sanchez indicated that his government is maintaining close coordination with Moroccan authorities to restore stability and promised a swift state response.El Gobierno de España está volcado en dar una respuesta inmediata a la situación en Ceuta.Estamos movilizando todos los recursos necesarios, trabajando con las autoridades marroquíes e internacionales, y preparando las medidas necesarias para recuperar la normalidad lo antes…— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) July 30, 2026 The political strain on Sanchez comes shortly after a ruling by Spain's Supreme Court that restricts authorities from executing immediate deportations of migrants arriving by sea.The crisis has sparked sharp domestic political criticism against the Spanish Prime Minister.Vox party leader Santiago Abascal characterised the massive border crossing as an "invasion", while Alberto Nunez Feijoo, head of the main opposition centre-right People's Party, also publicly condemned the government's operational handling of the situation.Es una INVASIÓN.Y Pedro Sánchez es su principal promotor y culpable de todas sus consecuencias.Punto. pic.twitter.com/OqSoNklR7z— Santiago Abascal (@Santi_ABASCAL) July 30, 2026 International backlash to the developments has also intensified.Alice Weidel, co-chair of Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, noted on X that Ceuta was being "overwhelmed", observing that more than 1,500 migrants, primarily originating from Morocco and Algeria, had breached the European Union's external frontier in a very short window.Drawing parallels to the 2015 European migration crisis, Weidel demanded immediate border closures and strict pushbacks.Thousands of Moroccans keep crossing into Ceuta as night falls, running aimlessly through the city’s streets.Guardia Civil sources earlier estimated as many as 40,000 had already jumped the fence today, a number that is almost certainly higher by now.Imagine...a city of… pic.twitter.com/gUWjUM9Ew5— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) July 30, 2026 Ceuta is paying the price for the Spanish Government’s massive regularisation, the failure to enforce EU return rules and its repeated delays in implementing the Migration Pact.Sánchez has lost control of Spain’s external border and his failure is now a European problem.… pic.twitter.com/BSQOPjhos7— Dolors Montserrat (@DolorsMM) July 30, 2026 The emergency develops against the backdrop of existing political controversy in Spain, where the Sanchez government recently launched a legal status normalisation programme that attracted over one million applications from undocumented migrants.The scale of the current influx represents the most severe border escalation in Ceuta since 2021, when over 8,000 individuals entered the territory from Morocco.Alongside the nearby Spanish enclave of Melilla, Ceuta constitutes one of only two land borders connecting the European Union directly with the African continent.(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)