European Union interior ministers respond to a surge of migrants entering Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, with several sources reporting that about 72,000 people arrive in the last week. The ministers call for stronger action against migrant smuggling networks, including tighter border controls and enhanced intelligence sharing with external partners. EU officials also urge stronger return policies for people who do not have the right to stay. One EU migration official argues that criminal smuggling networks and disinformation contribute to the crisis, describing the current situation as an unprecedented influx. The response is framed as part of a broader effort to improve border security and disrupt trafficking operations that facilitate irregular entry into the enclave. Multiple accounts also note that the Ceuta episode renews political disagreement within the EU over how migration should be managed, including the balance between border enforcement, cooperation with partner countries, and return strategies.