The Spanish government said Sunday that 5,321 migrants had voluntarily returned from the city of Ceuta to Morocco since August 10, following the influx that hit the city at the end of July. Authorities are registering about 1,000 more people to complete their return procedures.
Registering returnees and withdrawing protection applications
Territorial Policy Minister Ángel Víctor Torres, tasked with leading the government’s response to the crisis, said 90 people had withdrawn applications for international protection, alongside ongoing registration of those wishing to return. Estimates by the central government and local authorities differ over the number of migrants still in Ceuta.
The ministry aims to raise capacity to 6,000 places in the near future. Ceuta has seen regular protests by residents, while migrants camp on beaches and others sleep in the streets. Protesters accuse the government of abandoning the city amid the burdens linked to the humanitarian crisis.
July influx and procedures to determine legal status
Ceuta saw more than 70,000 migrants arrive on July 30 and 31, most of whom returned to Morocco in the following hours. Spanish authorities had to verify the identities of thousands who remained in the city to determine whether they were eligible for asylum, while unaccompanied children cannot be returned immediately.
The government is facing criticism over the pace of migrant returns, as well as questions about whether it knew about the influx in advance and Morocco's possible role. The crisis is increasing political pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez a year before the next election.
