Von der Leyen urges swift returns of Ceuta migrants to Morocco before EU summit

The mass entry and the returns

Between 30 and 31 July 2026, a mass entry of migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish city of Ceuta. Spanish authorities put the number at about 72,000 people according to Notícias ao Minuto, while 20 minutos reports more than 80,000 and ABC cites around 80,000. Most returned to Morocco within 48 hours, but thousands remained in the city, including unaccompanied minors. Government figures given on Tuesday, 13 October, show 11,686 people have returned to Morocco since 10 August, of whom 10,161 returned voluntarily and 525 were expelled.

Shelters, minors and evictions

Minister Elma Saiz presented the figures on Tuesday, and according to them the flow of returns has been steady in recent weeks. A total of 4,432 adults have completed triage, the identification step before a decision on expulsion, return or international protection. The government has delivered 244,612 food kits in Ceuta up to Sunday, 11 October, and enabled 7,477 temporary places. Over the weekend of 10 and 11 October, the beach camps at El Trampolín and El Guano were cleared, which the government described as successful and without notable incidents. Saiz, who is also government spokesperson, called the evictions a turning point.

About 3,019 unaccompanied minors are registered and cared for in a regional protection centre. Of these, 89 have been reunited with relatives on the mainland and 163 transferred to other regions under the mandatory solidarity mechanism of article 35 of the foreigners' law. More than 250 minors have been relocated to the mainland since the crisis began, and 35 case files have been sent to Morocco for a possible return.

Von der Leyen's letter to EU leaders

In a letter sent on Tuesday, 13 October, ahead of the summit, Ursula von der Leyen urged the EU to keep working with Morocco on migration and security toward a future comprehensive strategic partnership. She said the Commission will keep supporting Spanish authorities to ensure rapid returns of people who entered and remain irregularly in Ceuta, citing Morocco's commitment to readmit them all. The letter also says the Ceuta events showed how quickly sudden mass arrivals can press on the EU's external borders at a tragic human cost. According to ABC, the letter seeks an emergency framework for cases where migration is used as a weapon, allowing hot returns, expanded Frontex powers and a higher deportation rate. ABC adds that Spain alone refused to authorise a new returns directive at the last Interior Ministers' Council, although it passed by qualified majority.

Spain's stalled decree

A decree-law to speed asylum procedures and returns was due at the Council of Ministers on 29 September but was postponed over doubts about its legal fit, according to La Razón. The paper says Interior has not yet produced a proposal that can win backing within the Government of Pedro Sánchez. EL MUNDO reports that Socialist sources said no draft had been prepared, while Sumar, the coalition partner, rejects any change that reduces guarantees for migrants. Commissioner Magnus Brunner told Spain that the Commission would fully support any measure to return those remaining illegally in Ceuta. The MEP Estrella Galán said the day after that Council meeting:

We, the Sumar parliamentary group and the Sumar ministers, are the ones who have stopped the royal decree.

What comes next

Leaders meet in Brussels on Thursday, 15 October, and Friday, 16 October, with migration on the agenda for a strategic debate. A draft of the conclusions, which Europa Press has seen, expresses solidarity and support for Spain over the entry of thousands of migrants into Ceuta on 30 and 31 July, and refers separately to Ceuta and Melilla as the EU's only land borders with the African continent. In Spain, La Razón reports the decree remains unapproved ahead of the general election on 29 November.