Ceuta residents erect fences and night patrols to block migrant influx into neighborhoods

The removal of the beach encampment dubbed Operation Trampolín forced dozens of migrants to relocate into Ceuta’s inner neighborhoods, where they are identifiable by backpacks, grocery bags and NGO-provided tents. In response, residents of districts such as La Pantera, Los Rosales, Sidi Embarek and El Príncipe have erected fences around their streets, cutting the number of access points from six to one and seeking municipal approval for the barriers.

A volunteer guard now watches the streets through the night, aided by some migrants who help expel new arrivals. Neighbourhood committees have also compiled lists of newcomers and attempted to issue colored bracelets for tracking, a measure that officials have not authorized. Approximately 200 young people live in self-made shelters made from fabric, waterproof material and mattresses. While locals provide food and rain protection, they stress that they do not want additional migrants in their streets and continue to rely on community vigilance due to limited institutional support.