Hundreds of Ceuta migrants choose voluntary return to Morocco after camp clearance
More than one hundred migrants at Ceuta's Trampolín beach opted to go back to Morocco voluntarily after police began clearing the settlement.
Early this morning, a police van entered Ceuta's Trampolín beach to start the eviction of a loosely organized migrant settlement. More than 350 officers from the Policía Nacional were involved, using numerous police vans to transport detainees toward the Tarajal crossing. While the official plan is to register everyone at the Centro de Atención Temporal de Extranjeros (CATE), many migrants declined the process, stating they had no grounds for international protection.
Consequently, over one hundred individuals voluntarily walked back to Morocco, mirroring a similar exodus of over 150 migrants from the Benítez beach days earlier. The voluntary returns were facilitated by police escort to the border, where they crossed on foot. The operation highlights the ongoing challenges of managing irregular migration at Spain's North African enclave.
Why it matters
It shows the pressures on Ceuta's migration system and the willingness of some migrants to return rather than seek asylum.
How this story developed
- Aug 21 Spanish police detain five suspected migrant smugglers operating from Ceuta
- Sep 24 Sánchez formally requested explanations and corrective measures from Morocco.
- Sep 26 Morocco’s foreign minister announced the country's readiness to receive Ceuta migrants at the UN General Assembly.
- Sep 26 Thousands gathered in Madrid for a second “March for Dignity”, calling for snap elections and the expulsion of migrants who arrived in Ceuta.
- Sep 26 Police escorted a handful of minors from the El Trampolín camp in Ceuta to a reception centre, while dozens of others remained on the beach.
- Sep 26 A second “March for Dignity” was held in Madrid, drawing tens of thousands of participants.
- Sep 27 Ceuta residents marched demanding stronger border controls and an end to sexual assaults.
- Sep 28 Frontex added that the western Mediterranean corridor recorded a 34% rise.
- Sep 28 Denmark reported that the creation of migrant return centres outside the EU is moving forward very well, a claim made during the EU home affairs ministers' meeting in Luxembourg.
- Oct 1 The royal visit, confirmed by sources from the Casa del Rey and the central government, follows weeks of speculation over timing and security. It comes as Madrid seeks to calm the situation ahead of national celebrations and after the king previously denounced the mass arrivals at the Tarajal crossing. Moroccan officials have warned that the trip will not go unanswered, and defense sources are assessing possible retaliatory actions.
- Oct 1 etc
- Oct 2 The specific dates of the royal trip remain pending announcement after weeks of talks.
- Oct 4 Police and army began a staged clearance of the Trampolín beach camp, transporting migrants to the Tarajal crossing.
- Oct 4 Ministers gave final approval to tougher migration legislation expanding detention authority.
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