This post is republished with permission from Remix News
Italy’s government and prominent French conservatives have demanded the suspension of Schengen arrangements with Spain after an estimated 49,000 illegal migrants entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco within 24 hours.
The figure, attributed to estimates used by Spain’s Department of Defense Security and confirmed by two ministerial sources, would amount to roughly 59 percent of Ceuta’s population of approximately 83,000.
The influx began with migrants swimming around the coastal border fence, enticed by a Spanish Supreme Court ruling earlier this month that prevented immediate pushbacks of people entering Spanish territory by sea. As the flow intensified, footage showed thousands gathering at the frontier before overwhelming the border infrastructure and entering the autonomous city.
The Spanish government later announced the deployment of the armed forces to support the Civil Guard, despite initially refusing to rule out the declaration of a national emergency.
The situation in Ceuta is completely out of control.
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) July 30, 2026
Another full-blown migrant crisis, but Pedro Sánchez's government has ruled out declaring a national emergency. pic.twitter.com/rkEwMe9NWk
“The armed forces will reinforce the Civil Guard in the exercise of its powers and any others that may be necessary to maintain security in the city of Ceuta,” the Interior Ministry said.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the scenes highlighted the security threat posed by uncontrolled illegal immigration and confirmed that Rome was considering suspending Schengen arrangements with Spain.
"We will not yield an inch."
— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 31, 2026
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni threatens to take "extraordinary measures" to defend her country's borders amid the shocking migrant surge in Spain.
"The images coming from Ceuta are striking and demonstrate, once again, that uncontrolled… pic.twitter.com/t42qsam1AE
“The images coming from Ceuta are striking and demonstrate, once again, that uncontrolled illegal immigration poses a concrete threat to the security of Europe’s borders,” Meloni said.
She added that Italy was convening the relevant authorities and was prepared to adopt “extraordinary measures” to protect its borders and citizens, “including the suspension of the Schengen Area with Spain.”
“On illegal immigration, we will not yield an inch,” she said. “Defending the borders, stopping human traffickers and ensuring effective repatriations will continue to be the line of this government.”
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini also called for Schengen to be suspended.
“I faced years of trial, risking six years in prison, for having protected the borders of my country. Sánchez no,” Salvini wrote. “Suspend Schengen. Defend the borders.”
French nationalist Marine Le Pen called on France to strengthen border controls immediately.
“Faced with the massive and coordinated influx of migrants into Spain, encouraged by the Spanish government, France must without delay strengthen controls at its borders,” she said.
Le Pen added that, if elected in 2027, her movement would reserve Schengen free movement for European Union nationals.
Une véritable invasion migratoire est en cours à Ceuta, en Espagne, où des hordes de jeunes Marocains prennent d’assaut l’enclave.
— Marion Maréchal (@MarionMarechal) July 30, 2026
Les trois facteurs qui provoquent cette nouvelle ruée vers l’Europe sont révélateurs :
Le gouvernement des juges : le Tribunal suprême espagnol a… pic.twitter.com/wpeYa9f956
French MEP Marion Maréchal described the situation as a “genuine migrant invasion” and blamed a combination of judicial decisions, the Spanish government’s proposed mass regularization and the use of migration as diplomatic pressure.
“This situation demands that France put an end to the Schengen Area as it exists today on the table of the European Council,” she said.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said on Friday that border controls with Spain would be strengthened. “Given the situation observed in the Ceuta enclave, I have given instructions since last night to reinforce controls at the Spanish border without delay. Furthermore, I have activated the Rapid Intervention Border Force to carry out thorough checks,” he wrote on X.
Ceuta was initially defended by approximately 42 National Police riot officers, despite previous warnings that a major influx could follow the Supreme Court ruling.
?? Civil unrest in Ceuta as Spaniards and Moroccans clash on the streets. pic.twitter.com/LAiNQgBQAN
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) July 30, 2026
Those officers were overwhelmed as thousands crossed through the El Tarajal area and spread into the city. Reinforcements from Seville, Málaga, and the Central Riot Control Unit were later ordered, alongside officers from the Prevention and Reaction Units.
The reinforcements were expected to increase the number of officers specializing in public order to approximately 200 — still a fraction of the number of migrants who had entered.
Police sources warned that the situation could deteriorate further as tens of thousands of undocumented migrants remained without adequate accommodation or support.
Security forces were also concerned that large groups could gather in El Príncipe, a neighborhood close to the Moroccan border that has previously seen serious attacks on police during enforcement operations.
Amateur footage showed clashes and unrest between local residents and migrants occupying streets across the city, while arrivals continued through the night.
One resident in Loma Colmenar alleged that two Moroccan migrants, accompanied by a baby, broke a window and entered a residential property using a ladder, as reported by La Gaceta.
Residents have reported other incidents involving migrants entering courtyards, buildings and residential neighborhoods as police resources were stretched across the city.
El País reported that 19 bodies were recovered from the waters off Ceuta following the mass crossing.
Spain and Morocco later announced an agreement for the urgent return of those who had crossed from Moroccan territory, although the Spanish government was still examining how the returns could be carried out.
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