The leader of Ceuta, Juan Jesus Vivas of the Popular Party, has publicly called for the establishment of a detention facility to hold asylum seekers and undocumented migrants who entered the Spanish territory from Morocco at the end of July, stating that expulsion proceedings should be handled with greater speed.
Ceuta Leader Calls for Detention Centre as Migrant Numbers Remain in Dispute
The leader of Ceuta, Juan Jesus Vivas of the Popular Party, has publicly called for the establishment of a detention facility to hold asylum seekers and undocumented migrants who entered the Spanish territory from Morocco at the end of July, stating that expulsion proceedings should be handled with greater speed.
Spanish authorities have estimated that approximately 80,000 people crossed irregularly from Morocco to Ceuta during a surge at the end of July, using methods that reportedly included swimming and inflatable rafts. The Spanish government says around 70,000 subsequently returned to Morocco within two days.
Vivas disputes the central government's figure of approximately 2,500 remaining migrants, placing his own estimate at between 8,000 and 11,000. He has described the situation as unsustainable.
Among those who remained are reportedly hundreds of unaccompanied children, who cannot be summarily deported under Spanish law. Those still present are said to be facing difficulties accessing food, water, shelter, and sanitation, according to the source.
The situation has generated a political dispute between Spain's central government, described as leftist, and regional administrations led by the Popular Party and Vox, with the latter two opposing provisions that would allow unaccompanied children to be taken in under existing legal arrangements.
On Sunday, police reported that around 5,000 Ceuta residents gathered in protest over the handling of the situation, citing concerns about safety in the enclave.
Angel Victor Torres, the Spanish government minister responsible for regional relations, stated that police and troop numbers had been increased, including a 40 percent rise in civil guard personnel.
- The source does not establish the total number of people who died during or after the border crossing
- The source does not establish the legal basis or timeline for the proposed detention facility
- The source does not establish how the figure of 80,000 crossings was calculated or verified
- The source does not establish the nationalities or countries of origin of the migrants and asylum seekers
- The source does not establish what response, if any, the Spanish central government has given to Vivas's detention demand specifically
- The source does not establish the current legal status of the unaccompanied children remaining in Ceuta
- The source does not establish whether any EU institutions have formally responded to the border situation
Read the original at Al Jazeera English