Spain expands Ceuta migrant shelters by 1,800 places and prepares mainland child transfers

Emergency shelter expansion and relocations

The Spanish government announced on Thursday, August 20, the creation of shelters for 1,800 migrants in Ceuta to relieve the humanitarian crisis in the North African enclave. The decision followed an announcement on Wednesday detailing plans to transfer approximately 500 unaccompanied children to mainland Spain. Officials at the Ministry of Youth and Children confirmed that the provisional relocation covers the most vulnerable minors, including transfers intended to protect girls following reports of sexual harassment and assault. Under Madrid's distribution plan, the relocated children will be placed under the care of regional child protection organisations, accommodated in foster care, or reunited with family members across Spain's autonomous communities. Migration Minister Elma Saiz explained that regional authorities will manage reception, while Ceuta's municipal government accepted the transfers as an extraordinary measure.

Strain on reception infrastructure

The late July border crossing brought tens of thousands of people across the Moroccan border by land and sea, with source estimates spanning 70,000 to 80,000 arrivals. Although the vast majority voluntarily returned to Morocco in the days immediately following the crossing, authorities estimate that between 5,000 and 8,000 migrants remain in the enclave. The sudden influx left Ceuta's local child-protection system operating at more than 4,600% of its official capacity. Madrid normally funds an ordinary reception capacity of 29 places in Ceuta, but local shelters are currently housing about 1,350 children. Save the Children estimates that roughly 1,500 minors are under the care of protection services, while local non-governmental organisations estimate that nearly 4,000 minors remain in the territory, with approximately 2,500 living directly on the streets.

Living conditions and security concerns

Displaced migrants have congregated in abandoned warehouses in the Tarajal industrial zone and makeshift settlements overlooking the Moroccan border, sleeping under tied sheets, inside broken-down cars, and on damaged sofas. Ceuta Mayor-President Juan Jesús Vivas stated that at least 100 people died during the border surge, with many drowning or being crushed against breakwaters while attempting to swim around border fences. Women in the enclave reported pervasive fears of sexual harassment while sleeping in public spaces as they await formal registration. Local business owners in Ceuta also confirmed incidents of shop looting during the peak of the border surge. The United Nations children's agency, UNICEF, warned that hundreds of unaccompanied children in Ceuta are facing severe insecurity and unsanitary living conditions.

We won't go back; we have no desire to go back.

Political dispute over deportations

The relocation program has generated sharp political conflict among Spanish officials regarding the treatment of irregular arrivals. Youth and Children Minister Sira Rego dismissed calls from opposition parties to immediately deport all children back to Morocco.

Return must be voluntary and accompanied by safeguards.

Opposition lawmakers have demanded full repatriation of everyone who entered Ceuta without authorization. People's Party official Elías Bendodo stated that every person who arrived irregularly, including adults and minors, must be legally returned to Morocco. Vox party leader Santiago Abascal strongly opposed funding the transfers, arguing against state spending on unaccompanied foreign minors. Rego accused the People's Party of adopting extreme positions, while Ceuta's regional administration reiterated that deportations of irregular migrants remain its primary objective once immediate humanitarian needs are addressed.