EU Assures No Onward Movement of Migrants From Ceuta Amid Schengen Suspension Calls
The European Commission announced on Friday that no irregular migrants who entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta have moved to the European mainland. The statement comes amid a major migration crisis in the enclave that has prompted several European Union member states to call for Spain's suspension from the Schengen free-movement area.
On Thursday, approximately 60,000 migrants, predominantly of Moroccan origin, entered Ceuta in what has been recorded as the largest surge of irregular arrivals ever on EU territory. In response to the influx, Spain has mobilised troops to the enclave as thousands of migrants continue to swim across the border from Morocco. Nearly half of those who entered on Thursday have already voluntarily returned to Morocco, according to Spanish authorities.
The scale of the arrivals has drawn sharp criticism from several EU nations, including Italy, Finland, and Denmark. These countries have accused the government of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of failing to adequately protect the external borders of Europe, leading to calls for Spain's temporary removal from the Schengen zone.
Schengen Rules and Border Controls in Ceuta
Despite concerns raised by right-of-centre political figures across Europe regarding the potential spread of migrants across the continent, EU officials maintain that those who entered Ceuta irregularly will not be able to travel to other member states. "There are no onward movements today towards the European continent," an EU official stated.
Although Ceuta is Spanish territory, it operates under special rules regarding free movement. A European Commission official explained that checks on individuals leaving Ceuta and Melilla remain active under the Schengen system, meaning these enclaves are treated as the EU's external border. Consequently, individuals who enter Ceuta without authorisation cannot board flights or ferries to mainland Spain without undergoing identity checks.
Furthermore, Schengen free-movement privileges are restricted to EU citizens, individuals holding valid residence permits, and travellers who satisfy the conditions for legal entry.
Asylum Procedures and Low Recognition Rates
For irregular migrants who choose to apply for asylum, accelerated asylum procedures that entered into force last June may be applied, which include potential detention measures. While their asylum claims are being processed, applicants are legally barred from leaving Spain. If they are located elsewhere within the European Union, they are liable to be returned.
Under EU guidelines, only individuals who are granted international protection are permitted to move freely across the Schengen area. However, Morocco is designated as a "safe country of origin" under EU rules, making its citizens generally ineligible for such protection.
Data from the EU Agency for Asylum indicates that Moroccan citizens have a very low asylum recognition rate of approximately 6%. As a result, the vast majority of the migrants who crossed into Ceuta are expected to be issued return orders to their country of origin.
