After the immigration crisis in Ceuta, a Spanish North African exclave, where over 50,000 people crossed the border and 72 people died, divisions within the EU deepened. Countries like Italy took the opportunity to propose suspending Spain's Schengen status and reimposing border controls. Twenty-two leaders jointly pressured the situation. In response to the accusations, Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez retorted in a public letter that such actions were "selfish and illegal." On August 3, European Commission President Von der Leyen tried to calm the situation by reiterating EU unity, but also called for strengthening border controls and physical barriers. This crisis is testing Europe's fragile cohesion.
According to The Guardian's report on August 3rd, Italy has officially informed the European Union that it will temporarily reimpose border controls with Spain.
The notice refers to “threats to public policy and internal security” as well as “issues related to the management of immigration flows due to recent events in the autonomous city of Ceuta in Spain. These events are caused by large-scale irregular entry of citizens from third countries, with a risk of secondary movement within the Schengen area.”
The Guardian points out that this last part is highly controversial, as there is no free movement of people between Heath and other parts of the EU. Anyone leaving this region to travel across the European continent will have to undergo strict border controls.
Italy has stated that these border control measures will be implemented in a "targeted" manner and will apply to citizens from third countries who travel by plane or ship. These measures are expected to be in place for one month, until September 1st.
We will require all EU member states to demonstrate unity.
He stated that some governments “did not take on their due responsibilities,” and specifically named Italy. He also pointed out that during the previous immigration crisis affecting Lampedusa in Italy, Spain supported Rome.
Alvarez also refuted some false information regarding the Schengen Area and the crisis in Spain. "Unfortunately, these false claims were even amplified by some European governments," he added.
Alvarez praised Morocco's cooperation, stating that the Moroccan government agreed from the beginning to enforce the repatriation of immigrants without seeking any concessions from Spain. "Everyone who enters will be repatriated. That is exactly what Morocco wants," he said.
A large number of immigrants attempt to cross from Morocco into Spain’s exclave of Huda. IC photo
Around July 30th, a large number of illegal immigrants flooded the Spanish exclave of Ceuta from Morocco, becoming one of the most serious immigration crises at the EU border in recent years. Perez Teriano, Spain's representative in Ceuta, stated on the 2nd that this cross-border incident has resulted in at least 72 deaths.
Twenty-two leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Meloni and German Chancellor Merz, have jointly written a letter to the European Union's senior officials. They expressed “serious concerns” regarding the large-scale cross-border movements in Hegma, stating that such actions pose a threat to the EU’s borders. They also criticized the relatively lax immigration policies of Spain’s Prime Minister Sánchez, especially the massive legalization plans, which could become a “pull factor.” The letter called for enhanced control over external borders and coordinated actions, and indicated a willingness to restore temporary border inspections within the Schengen Area.
On August 1st, Sanchez issued a tough public letter, directly criticizing the reactions of some EU partners as 'selfish, divisive, and illegal'.
In his letters to European Commission President Jean-Claude Delord, European Council President Herman Van der Staey, and Irish Prime Minister Bertrand Russell, he wrote: The calls by some countries to "attack Spain" and to remove Spain from the Schengen Area "not only violate European law, humanitarian law, and the principles of unity that unite us, but also go against the long-term interests of Europe and the most basic common sense."
Sanchez refuted the accusations that Spain failed to protect its external borders with the EU, and cited data showing that between 2021 and 2026, the number of illegal immigrants recorded in Spain was only half that of Italy.
On August 3rd, in a letter to Sánchez, von der Leyen tried to ease tensions with Spain.
According to the European edition of the American news site POLITICO EU, in the letter, Fiedler praised the Spanish and Moroccan authorities for their 'quick response' to the repatriation efforts, saying that they 'successfully prevented illegal individuals from continuing to move towards Spain and other parts of Europe.'
Immigration is a challenge for Europe, requiring European responses. She wrote that this requires "solidarity" and unity. She said the EU Commission has provided financial and operational support to Spain. The EU border and coast guard agency (Frontex), the European police organization (Europol) and the EU asylum agency are ready to provide assistance at any time.
On July 31, Magnus Brunner, the European Commission commissioner responsible for internal and immigration affairs, told Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska that the EU is willing to 'increase support for Spain' in order to 'control the situation', and to deploy Frontex staff in Ceuta.
The Spanish government has repeatedly refused to request an increase in the agency's presence in Spain, insisting that border control falls under the jurisdiction of national authorities. Following a surge in immigrants arriving in Ceuta in 2021 and an increase in the number of people arriving in the Canary Islands in 2024, the Spanish Ministry of Interior rejected requests for support from Frontex, stating that it had sufficient resources to handle the situation.
Fondewleen said that this incident exposed the weaknesses in border management. "It is clear that we must do more to strengthen border control at key points," wrote the European Commission President, including through "strengthening surveillance and using physical barriers when necessary."
She outlined five priority areas: strengthening cooperation with partner countries to prevent illegal immigration; strengthening the external borders of the EU; establishing an early warning system; combating smuggling networks; and improving repatriation operations.
She said that Morocco remains an 'important strategic partner' in combating human smuggling and illegal immigration. She stated that the EU should cooperate with Rabat and Madrid to improve the early warning systems regarding Ceuta and Melilla, and provide technical and financial support to Morocco.
Földelein also expressed support for the urgent meeting of EU justice and interior ministers scheduled for Tuesday, calling it a step towards collective action. She said that before the EU leaders assess these measures at the next European Council meeting, the ministers should reach an agreement on the direction to take next.
"Spain and its people can rely on the long-term support of the Committee of Trust."
