Ceuta's mayor, Juan Jesús Vivas, has called on the European Union to take urgent action after what he described as an "invasion" of the Spanish enclave by migrants from Morocco. Testifying before the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs on Thursday, Vivas demanded the immediate return of all those who entered irregularly and remain in the city.
The hearing was convened after an estimated 80,000 people crossed into Ceuta by sea on 30 and 31 July, in one of the largest migration surges the EU has ever witnessed. The Spanish government declined its invitation to attend, while the European Commission sent Magnus Brunner, the commissioner responsible for migration.
Vivas invoked the Royal Spanish Academy's dictionary to justify his choice of words. "The second definition of 'invasion' refers to the anomalous or irregular occupation of a specific place," he told MEPs. "This is precisely what happened on 30 and 31 July, when some 80,000 people – equivalent to the entire population of Ceuta – stormed into our city."
The mayor said the episode had put the integrity of Ceuta, Spain, and the EU as a whole into question. Although most of the migrants have since returned to Morocco, he stressed that the city remains in a state of trauma. "We faced a humanitarian emergency of enormous proportions, compounded by disturbances to public order and a serious risk to public safety," he said.
According to Vivas, between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants are still housed in local reception centres, which are stretched far beyond capacity. "This in no way allows us to say that our city has returned to normal for its citizens," he said, adding that the exact number of migrants still in Ceuta has not been disclosed due to a lack of resources.
He renewed his call for stronger border controls and the immediate expulsion of those who entered irregularly. "We demand the immediate expulsion of the Moroccans who have entered our city irregularly and who remain here," Vivas said, while noting that unaccompanied minors can only be returned to their country of origin with their consent.
When questioned by an MEP, Vivas said he had no information on whether any jihadists previously expelled from Europe had entered Ceuta during the crisis. "We don't know from local authorities whether there are any jihadists among those who entered," he added. His comments come amid media reports suggesting suspected jihadists may be among the arrivals.
Vivas also revealed that Ceuta had warned Spanish authorities about the rising number of irregular arrivals before the surge. "We told the ministries about the situation we were experiencing, and we pointed out that there had been an alarming increase in arrival flows," he said. He added that the city had been unable to establish contact with Moroccan authorities, who had refused to engage.
EU response and broader implications
The crisis has reignited the EU's debate on migration, border security, and cooperation with Morocco. The European Commission has yet to announce concrete measures, but Brussels is reportedly considering new aid for Ceuta. Meanwhile, the bloc's efforts to update its anti-smuggling legislation remain stalled, as explained in our analysis.
The Spanish government's absence from the parliamentary hearing has drawn criticism, with some MEPs questioning Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's handling of the crisis. The episode has also deepened diplomatic tensions with Morocco, which has charged 25 people in connection with the border surge. For Ceuta, the road to recovery is fraught with anger and fear, as our report from the city shows.
Vivas's testimony underscores the fragile situation on Europe's southern border and the urgent need for a coordinated EU strategy that balances security with humanitarian obligations.
