Are you paying attention Mr Burnham? Spain’s foreign minister vows to send ‘every last person’ back to Morocco who stormed Spanish enclave of Ceuta
Spain's foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, has pledged to return "every last person" to Morocco after 70,000 migrants stormed the Spanish enclave of Ceuta last month, taking advantage of weak border security to swim across from Morocco. Visiting Ceuta, he insisted that crossing into the territory, which is Spanish and EU soil bordering Morocco in North Africa, "does not grant anyone the right to remain," and warned potential future migrants not to risk their lives and money on a crossing "doomed to fail." The article contrasts this hardline approach with what it characterises as a softer response from Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to Channel small boat crossings into the UK.
Around 70 people died during the Ceuta crossing, either by drowning or being crushed at the border fence, and the incident prompted some European leaders to call for Spain's temporary suspension from the Schengen free-travel zone. Of those who entered, roughly 60,000 have reportedly already been returned to Morocco, though Ceuta's president, Juan Jesús Vivas, said up to 10,000 people remained in the enclave, calling the situation "unsustainable." The episode comes amid a broader push among EU nations for tougher measures against illegal crossings, including a call by Greek premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis for emergency powers to suspend asylum claims during migrant surges.
In short
- Spain vows to return all 70,000 migrants who stormed Ceuta from Morocco
- About 70 died in the crossing; 60,000 already sent back
- EU nations pushing tougher stance on illegal border crossings
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Spain's hardline position reflects legitimate national sovereignty and the rule of law. Nations have the right to control their borders and determine entry, and allowing mass irregular crossings undermines legal immigration processes. The humanitarian case for strong deterrence is genuine: the 70 deaths during the Ceuta crossing demonstrate the lethal risks migrants face, and enforcement discouraging dangerous journeys may ultimately save lives. Additionally, Ceuta's infrastructure became genuinely unsustainable, placing disproportionate burdens on border states—a problem requiring coordinated EU enforcement to distribute responsibility fairly.
The case against
Whilst border control is legitimate, effective policy must balance sovereignty with humanitarian and legal obligations. Migrants often flee persecution where dangers in home countries exceed crossing risks, making deterrent rhetoric ineffective; addressing root causes in North Africa would be more productive. Blanket returns without fair asylum procedures violate international law and EU frameworks requiring individual assessment of claims. A compassionate approach maintaining orderly processes respects human dignity, reflects European values, and proves more sustainable than enforcement-only policies that treat desperate people as threats rather than individuals warranting individual consideration.
Explained simply
Ceuta is a Spanish city on the North African coast, next to Morocco. As Spanish territory, it is also part of the European Union, though it is separated from mainland Spain by sea and a fortified border with Morocco.
Spain’s foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, speaks for the national government on foreign affairs. Juan Jesús Vivas leads Ceuta’s local government. Their comments come amid wider European debate about border controls and asylum rules; the UK comparison in the headline refers to Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, and small-boat crossings across the Channel.
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