Over 1,000 Migrants Swim into Ceuta After Spain Bars Sea Pushbacks

A Spanish Supreme Court ruling that disallowed pushbacks of migrants caught in Spanish waters has led to more than 1,000 undocumented people swimming into the North African enclave of Ceuta over the last nine days. The court’s decision, which modifies parts of the 2025 Immigration Regulations, applies specifically to Ceuta and Melilla and requires authorities to follow standard return procedures, including identification and legal assistance.

Local police reported registering over 120 migrants in a single morning, and the Temporary Migrant Reception Center now holds 625 individuals with another 300 awaiting entry. The enclave’s minor protection services are handling 472 unaccompanied children, far exceeding their normal capacity, and officials have described the situation as “extremely grave.” Authorities have deployed cameras, sensors and drones, yet migrants time their attempts to coincide with distractions such as World Cup matches, prompting heightened security measures during those events. City officials are urging the central government to activate a migration contingency plan to address the structural challenges of Europe’s sole land border with Africa.