A migrant surge tests Spain’s open policies

Spain's Supreme Court ruled that a law allowing prompt handing-back of migrants who breach frontier barriers at Ceuta and Melilla does not apply to those who arrive by sea, prompting a surge.

Over 50,000 migrants entered Ceuta, a Spanish exclave with a permanent population of 84,000, from Morocco on July 30-31, 2026.

Spanish police were overwhelmed and provided water and sandwiches to some migrants; 34 died while swimming.

Spain's government, led by Pedro Sánchez, deployed troops, held talks with Moroccan officials, and promised to return all illegal entrants; 48,300 have gone back to Morocco.

Moroccan border guards reportedly stopped patrolling on July 30, a public holiday, allowing thousands to walk around the breakwater into Spain.