[International] Spanish Enclave Immigration Crisis: Officials Urge EU to Use Leverage to Ensure Morocco's Cooperation

Last week, a large-scale incident of illegal immigrants crossing the border occurred in Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa. EU officials stated on the 6th that the EU should utilize all available leverage, including visa and trade policies, to ensure Morocco's cooperation on immigration issues. According to Reuters, Spanish authorities reported that approximately 72,000 immigrants entered Ceuta last week, marking the largest influx of immigrants into EU territory in recent years. Magnus Brunner, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, stated in a European Parliament committee meeting: "The Ceuta incident serves as a crucial reminder that strengthening control requires cooperation with neighboring countries. However, as long as control depends on the goodwill of a single neighbor, our situation remains... vulnerable." The Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The EU increasingly relies on agreements with North African countries to curb illegal immigration, offering financial support and other incentives in exchange for enhanced border controls and cooperation on repatriation measures. Critics argue that this approach leaves the EU vulnerable to pressure from transit countries, which can use migrants to extract political or economic concessions. Brunner emphasized that the EU must deepen cooperation with third countries on repatriation and readmission of migrants, while also employing all available tools to ensure the effectiveness of these partnerships. Brunner's remarks come amid questions about whether Moroccan authorities turned a blind eye to this large influx of migrants. Lahcen Haddad, co-chair of the EU-Morocco Joint Parliamentary Committee, defended Morocco. He told Reuters that Morocco intercepted over 227,000 illegal entry attempts and dismantled more than 1,050 human trafficking networks between 2023 and 2025. He added, "Criticism is understandable, but Morocco's efforts should also be acknowledged." The mayor of Ceuta, Juan Jesus Vivas, told lawmakers today that approximately 100 people died during this large-scale border crossing, and about 3,000 to 5,000 migrants remain stranded in Ceuta. He stated, "I want to reiterate today that, in my view, Morocco is not a reliable country." Morocco had previously refused to take responsibility for the migrant wave, counter-accusing Spain of failing to anticipate the consequences of its own court ruling. The ruling determined that migrants who swim ashore and do not cross a physical border barrier cannot be immediately deported. (Editor: Chung Chin-lung)