---
title: "Crisis in Ceuta Resolved: Spain Returns Tens of Thousands of Migrants to Morocco"
description: "Spain has successfully managed the migration crisis in Ceuta: José Manuel Albares stated that the overwhelming majority of 50,000 migrants have already been returned to Morocco 🇪🇸🇲🇦. The European Commission praised Madrid and Rabat for their effective actions, although the EU acknowledges that the situation required urgent border reinforcement 🚧. #Migration #Spain #Ceuta"
date: 2026-08-03T12:08:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/spain-returns-migrants-to-morocco-after-ceuta-crisis-en
tags: [spain, seuta, migrants, maroc, ursula-von-der-leyen]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Crisis in Ceuta Resolved: Spain Returns Tens of Thousands of Migrants to Morocco

![Migrants on the beach of Ceuta amidst trash and inflatable rings, illustrating the situation with illegal migration before returning to Morocco](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/03/ispaniya-vernula-migrantov-v-marokko-posle-krisisa-v-seute/ispaniya-vernula-migrantov-v-marokko-posle-krisisa-v-seute-1.webp)

The migration crisis on the border between Spain and Africa, triggered by a mass breach of illegal immigrants into the enclave of Ceuta, is nearing its end. According to official sources, the overwhelming majority of people who illegally crossed the border have already left the territory of the Spanish possession. The operation to return migrants to Morocco is in its final stages.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares made a statement to this effect. The Foreign Minister emphasized that Madrid will do everything possible to return every illegal immigrant to where they came from. "The overwhelming majority of those who entered have already returned to Morocco. Everyone will be returned," Albares stated, seeking to assure European Union partners that the situation is under full control.

### Scale of the Operation and Causes of Chaos

Official Madrid confirms that the majority of approximately 50,000 people who arrived in the enclave at the end of last week have already been deported. The mass influx caused unprecedented chaos on one of the two land borders of the EU with Africa, threatening regional security.

Spanish and Moroccan authorities attribute the sharp rise in migration flows to a wave of disinformation. The trigger was a decision by the Supreme Court of Spain on July 8, which limited the possibility of immediately returning people intercepted at sea. Rumors that the border could be crossed easily provoked mass panic and attempts to enter illegally.

At the same time, Spain has faced accusations that its more lenient migration policy may have been a factor encouraging people to head to Ceuta. Madrid, however, insists that the crisis was caused by external factors and disinformation, rather than internal policy.

### European Commission Position and Partner Reaction

Spanish authorities expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of support from other EU countries, emphasizing that they expect greater solidarity in such situations. Nevertheless, the rhetoric from Brussels has changed. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in a letter to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, noted that Madrid and Rabat "handled the situation effectively and successfully".

According to the head of the European Commission, the countries successfully prevented further illegal movement of migrants to mainland Spain and other European states. This statement indicates a shift in tone within the EU: from concern expressed a few days ago to recognition of the effectiveness of the partners' actions.

### Future of Borders and Political Consequences

Although the acute phase of the crisis has passed, the consequences of the breach will remain for a long time. Spain has announced the construction of a new barrier on the Ceuta border to prevent a recurrence of such incidents. Previously, it was reported that this incident fractured EU unity and, according to some analysts, played into the hands of the Kremlin by demonstrating the vulnerability of Western borders.

Work is currently continuing with those migrants who still remain in the enclave. Spanish authorities assure that they responded promptly to the challenge and did not allow chaos to spread, regaining control over the situation at the border.