The European Commission has thrown its weight behind Spain's efforts to repatriate migrants who entered the North African enclave of Ceuta irregularly, including unaccompanied minors. Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert confirmed that all individuals staying illegally in Ceuta would be returned, following the surge of arrivals in late July.
“The priority is now for the Spanish and for the Moroccan authorities to maintain control of the situation and to ensure a swift return of all those who illegally remain in Ceuta,” Lammert said. He stressed that such returns are governed by EU law, specifically the Return Directive and, in the near future, the new EU Return Regulation. The legal framework also covers unaccompanied minors, he added.
Spain's Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska estimated last week that around 5,000 migrants were still in Ceuta without legal status, including 1,898 minors. Madrid has pledged to return all of them to their countries of origin and has ruled out transferring any to mainland Spain. Moroccan authorities have indicated readiness to cooperate with Spain and other EU partners to facilitate the process.
Prevention and deterrence
Beyond immediate returns, the Commission is focusing on long-term prevention. Lammert said Brussels would work with online platforms and fact-checkers “to counter criminal networks spreading disinformation” and “to strengthen the fight against migrant smuggling.” He noted that several social media accounts linked to smuggling networks have already been shut down.
On Monday, European Commissioner Magnus Brunner took to X to praise Spain for carrying out “important and necessary work” in securing the EU's shared external borders. He also reiterated the EU's readiness to deploy Frontex and Europol to support Spanish authorities.
The situation in Ceuta has drawn attention to the broader challenges of managing migration at Europe's southern frontier. The enclave, along with Melilla, has long been a flashpoint for irregular crossings. Earlier this month, Morocco blocked a new migrant push near Ceuta following deadly incidents at the border. Meanwhile, thousands of minors have been left unprotected in the aftermath of the surge, raising humanitarian concerns.
Local authorities in Ceuta have called for more robust measures, including the establishment of a dedicated detention center to handle the influx. Protests have escalated in recent days, with residents expressing frustration over the strain on public services and security. Madrid faces mounting pressure to resolve the situation while balancing legal obligations and public sentiment.
The European Commission's endorsement of returns aligns with its broader migration policy, which emphasizes swift returns for those without legal status while seeking to combat smuggling and disinformation. The deployment of Frontex and Europol would mark a significant step in operational cooperation, though details on timing and scope remain unclear.
For now, the focus remains on the bilateral coordination between Spain and Morocco. The two countries have a history of cooperation on migration, but the scale of the recent arrivals has tested that relationship. As Brussels lends its support, the coming weeks will reveal whether the legal and operational framework can deliver on the promise of swift returns without compromising the rights of vulnerable migrants, particularly minors.
