The European Commission confirmed that everyone illegally remaining in Ceuta will be returned after the late-July migrant surge, and that returns explicitly cover unaccompanied minors under EU law. Spain estimates about 5,000 remain in Ceuta (1,898 minors), while roughly 72,000 crossed on 30 July — most have since been returned to Morocco. The Commission highlighted cooperation with Morocco and stepped-up prevention efforts, including closing smuggling-linked online accounts and offering Frontex and Europol support.
EU Confirms Repatriations From Ceuta — Unaccompanied Minors Included as Morocco Agrees to Cooperate
EU supports repatriation of unaccompanied migrant minors from Ceuta to Morocco
The European Commission said on Tuesday that everyone found to be staying illegally in Ceuta will be returned following the large migrant surge at the end of July. The announcement makes clear that returns will include unaccompanied minors and will be carried out under EU law.
What the Commission Said
European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert told reporters the priority is for Spanish and Moroccan authorities to maintain control of the situation and to ensure a swift return of all those illegally remaining in Ceuta. “The priority is now for the Spanish and for the Moroccan authorities to maintain control of the situation and to ensure a swift return of all those who illegally remain in Ceuta,” he said.
Legal Framework
Lammert emphasized that returns are governed by EU rules — notably the existing Return Directive and the forthcoming EU Return Regulation — and that these instruments contain provisions for the return of migrants who are illegally present in a member state's territory, explicitly including unaccompanied minors.
Numbers And Repatriation Plans
Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska estimated last week that roughly 5,000 people remained in Ceuta illegally, including 1,898 minors. Spanish authorities have pledged to repatriate those individuals to their countries of origin and said none would be transferred to mainland Spain. Spanish estimates indicate that about 72,000 people crossed into Ceuta on 30 July; the vast majority have since been returned to Morocco.
Cooperation And Enforcement
Moroccan authorities indicated earlier that they were ready to cooperate with Spain and EU partners to facilitate the returns of unaccompanied migrants. The Commission has also signaled a stronger focus on prevention and deterrence: working with online platforms and fact-checkers to counter disinformation from criminal networks and to strengthen the fight against migrant smuggling.
Lammert said several online accounts linked to smuggling have already been closed.
EU Support
European Commissioner Magnus Brunner wrote on X that Spain is doing “important and necessary work” to secure the EU’s external borders. Brunner reiterated the EU’s readiness to deploy agencies such as Frontex and Europol to assist member states with border management and returns.
Key takeaway: The Commission frames repatriations as lawful and coordinated actions involving Spain, Morocco and EU agencies, combining returns with efforts to disrupt smuggling networks and misinformation campaigns.
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