EU praises Spain's rapid response to Ceuta migrant influx

Spain announced that roughly 70,000 of the 72,000 migrants who entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta illegally last week have been repatriated to Morocco. The mass return, carried out by Spanish security forces in coordination with Moroccan authorities, marks one of the largest single‑day deportations in recent years and reflects ongoing efforts to curb irregular crossings at the North African border.

Officials said the remaining migrants are being processed for either asylum claims or further repatriation, while authorities continue to monitor the enclave’s frontier to prevent future surges. The operation underscores the persistent pressure on Ceuta’s border infrastructure and highlights the collaborative, yet contentious, migration management between Spain and Morocco.