Civil Guard urged maritime and land resources in Ceuta ahead of massive migrant influx

A declassified document shows the Guardia Civil sent a note on 8 July, 22 days before a massive migrant arrival in Ceuta, proposing four measures, three of which targeted the enclave. The proposals called for reinforcing the Provincial Maritime Service with additional personnel, enhancing coastal surveillance and early-warning systems, and modifying the Additional Tenth Provision of the Immigration Law to permit border-rejection of any irregular entry, regardless of the means used.

These changes were prompted by a Supreme Court decision that barred immediate “hot returns” for migrants arriving by sea unless maritime containment structures were in place. The Civil Guard also urged the government to install such barriers, a step later taken after the influx. Additionally, the CNI alerted the Delegación de Gobierno in Ceuta that social-media messages were calling for a coordinated crossing, warning of two large groups planning the action.