Ceuta Minister Says 3,000 Migrants Remain on Streets
Spanish official estimates over 3,000 migrants are still sleeping on Ceuta streets, with daily voluntary returns to Morocco continuing.
Key points
- Over 3,000 migrants, including hundreds of minors, are currently living on the streets of Ceuta.
- Between 150 and 200 migrants voluntarily return to Morocco daily, with 160 doing so in the last 24 hours.
- Unaccompanied minors will be transferred to mainland Spain to reduce overcrowding in the enclave.
More than 3,000 migrants, including several hundred minors, continue to live on the streets of Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the North African coast. Territorial Policy Minister Ángel Víctor Torres provided this estimate, acknowledging the significant strain on local infrastructure despite ongoing government efforts to manage the population.
According to reports from caliber.az, the minister indicated that transfers to designated accommodation facilities would proceed in the coming days. He expressed hope that the relocation process would be completed within weeks, allowing the administrative processing of return applications to begin for those who do not qualify for international protection.
Daily voluntary returns to Morocco
Torres stated that between 150 and 200 migrants voluntarily return to Morocco every day. In the past 24 hours alone, he noted, 160 individuals made the journey back. The minister emphasized that only those eligible for protection and unaccompanied minors unable to be reunited with family will remain in Spain, as most recent arrivals from Morocco do not meet the criteria for asylum.
Minors transferred to mainland Spain
To alleviate overcrowding in the enclave, the Spanish government plans to transfer unaccompanied minors to the mainland. This move is part of a broader strategy to prevent further congestion in Ceuta, which has faced repeated pressure from migration flows in recent years. The minister confirmed that additional facilities may be opened if necessary to ensure all individuals are housed safely while their cases are reviewed.
Forward look on relocation timeline
The next few weeks will be critical in determining the speed of relocation and the start of return procedures. Observers will watch whether the government can maintain the pace of voluntary returns while ensuring the legal rights of those seeking protection. The situation remains fluid, with the number of individuals on the streets expected to decrease as administrative processes accelerate.
