Spanish Senate backs maritime border rejections as government pledges 40.3 million euros for Ceuta

Senate passes border rejection reform

The Spanish Senate approved the processing of a bill to amend the Immigration Law on Wednesday, permitting immediate border rejections for migrants who attempt to enter Ceuta and Melilla by sea. Backed by the People's Party (PP) along with five Vox senators and one Navarrese People's Union (UPN) senator, the proposal passed with 145 votes in favour and 108 against, with no abstentions. The legislation seeks to modify Additional Provision 10 of Organic Law 4/2000, extending summary border rejections to maritime arrivals and swimming attempts. Under the current wording, authorities could only apply immediate rejections to people attempting to cross physical land barriers like border fences. Following the debate, the reform moves to the Congress of Deputies for subsequent examination.

Spain does not end where a fence ends; it reaches to its final border line, on land and at sea.

Legal origins and political debate

The legislative initiative follows Supreme Court ruling 814/2026, issued on 29 June and published on 8 July, which established that migrants swimming across maritime borders cannot be immediately turned back because they did not breach physical containment structures. Following that ruling, Guardia Civil internal reports warned the Ministry of the Interior that the legal gap risked encouraging sea crossings. The debate coincides with the two-month mark of the 30 and 31 July crisis, during which between 70,000 and 80,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta. Opposition parties including the PSOE, Junts, and the PNV voted against the reform, arguing that the existing legal framework complies with Constitutional Court and European Court of Human Rights standards. Junts senator Joan Bagué stated that the bill omitted support and funding mechanisms for unaccompanied minors as well as transparency provisions.

Government funding and return figures

Alongside the parliamentary debate, Minister of Territorial Policy Ángel Víctor Torres visited Ceuta to lead the crisis coordination committee and announced executive measures. The Spanish government will present a royal decree-law next Tuesday allocating 40.3 million euros to cover extraordinary security and sanitation costs incurred by the autonomous city. Torres reported that 8,676 migrants have returned to Morocco since 10 August, comprising 8,223 people processed through return procedures and 453 individuals expelled for various causes. The return pace exceeds 200 people per day, representing an increase of 1,432 returns compared to the previous week. Screenings at the Temporary Foreigner Care Centre (CATE) have registered 3,336 adults, with return proceedings initiated for 25% to 30% of individuals who did not apply for international protection.

There are very many returns caused by the initiation of these proceedings.

Reception facilities and minor management

Authorities have established eight reception sites across Ceuta, including an operational area in Loma Colmenar, and cleared approximately 400 people from Benítez beach on Tuesday without personal injuries. A newly approved shelter near the Ceuta prison will serve as the final contingency resource if additional accommodation is needed. Among arriving minors, officials have registered 2,566 individuals, sending ten repatriation files to Morocco and relocating 69 minors to foster families on the Spanish mainland. The Ministry of Justice analyzed 594 age determination requests, confirming minor status for 553 individuals, while hospital occupancy in the city remains low with 14 beds occupied out of more than 200 available.