Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has declared that every undocumented migrant who crossed into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta in late July will be returned to Morocco, as Madrid intensifies diplomatic pressure to resolve one of the enclave's worst border crises in years. Albares made the announcement during a visit to Ceuta on Tuesday, underscoring the urgency of the situation on the ground.

Scale of the Crisis

According to Spanish government estimates, more than 70,000 people illegally crossed the border from neighbouring Morocco into Ceuta at the end of July. Ceuta President Juan Jesus Vivas told an extraordinary meeting of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs that approximately 100 people died during the mass influx — a figure that has drawn sharp concern from EU lawmakers.

Vivas subsequently indicated that around 80,000 people entered the enclave in total, with nearly 75,000 having since returned voluntarily to Morocco. Between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants are still believed to be in the enclave, leaving reception centres overwhelmed and triggering what Vivas described as a severe humanitarian emergency.

What the Spanish Government Said

Albares was unambiguous in his position. 'No one has left the city for the mainland (Spain),' he said, directly countering online disinformation that reportedly misled many migrants into believing that crossing into Ceuta would grant them passage to mainland Spain or elsewhere in Europe.

'The diplomatic work we are doing with Morocco is aimed at returning all those who have entered irregularly,' he added, signalling that bilateral channels with Rabat remain the primary mechanism for managing the returns.

Security Alert Ahead of August 15

Spanish authorities have cancelled all leave for military personnel and Civil Guards stationed in Ceuta following online reports of plans for another mass border crossing on 15 August. The move reflects heightened anxiety that a second wave could compound an already strained situation, with reception infrastructure pushed well beyond capacity.

EU Pressure and Humanitarian Concerns

Vivas appealed directly to the European Parliament for stronger security measures, additional reception resources, and greater operational support from EU agencies. The crisis has reignited debate within the bloc about burden-sharing and the adequacy of the EU's external border management framework. This is not the first time Ceuta has witnessed a large-scale irregular crossing — a similar episode in May 2021 saw thousands enter the enclave in a single day — but the scale of the late-July influx is reported to be significantly larger.

What Happens Next

With diplomatic talks between Spain and Morocco ongoing, the pace of returns will depend heavily on cooperation from Rabat. The coming days around 15 August will be a critical test of Spanish security preparedness, while the humanitarian situation for the thousands still in the enclave remains unresolved. EU agencies are under pressure to respond swiftly as Ceuta's local administration warns it cannot manage the crisis alone.