Spanish court ruling key to migration surge: Morocco | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT
Morocco has said that Spain should have anticipated the impact of a recent court ruling that may have encouraged a large number of migrants to cross into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from northern Morocco.
Speaking on Monday, a senior Moroccan government official said a July 8 Spanish court decision weakened a key deterrent against illegal migration. The ruling limited the immediate return of migrants who arrive in Spain’s North African enclaves by sea.
According to Spain, around 69,500 migrants have since returned from Ceuta to Morocco following last week’s mass crossing. Moroccan authorities estimate that about 40,000 people entered the enclave during the surge.
The humanitarian toll has been severe. Authorities reported 72 deaths on the Spanish side of the border and 11 deaths on the Moroccan side.
The crisis has sparked political tensions. Ceuta Regional President Juan Jesus Vivas accused Morocco of allowing or encouraging the influx. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned against using irregular migration as a tool to pressure any European Union member state.
Morocco strongly rejected claims that it had relaxed border controls. The official said the country maintained its security presence and continued deploying around 24,000 personnel along its northern coast to prevent illegal migration.
According to the Moroccan government, human trafficking networks quickly took advantage of the Spanish court ruling. The official argued that migrants received the message that once they crossed into Spanish territory, they would be protected from immediate return.
Morocco says it remains committed to managing migration through prevention and cooperation. Official figures show the country stopped about 79,000 attempted crossings in 2024 and another 74,000 in 2025.
The Moroccan official described cooperation between Morocco and Spain on border security as strong and effective for many years. However, he said the recent court decision disrupted that approach and created new challenges.
Morocco maintains that Spain must now find a solution that restores deterrence while respecting migrant rights. The official also emphasized that Morocco does not support a migration policy based solely on security measures.
Key Takeaway: Morocco believes a Spanish court ruling reduced the risk of immediate deportation for migrants, encouraging mass crossings into Ceuta and contributing to the recent border crisis.
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