Videos circulating online show migrants crossing the collapsed border of Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the African continent. More than 2,000 migrants entered from Morocco in the past ten days, prompting local officials to request a national emergency.
The footage captures crowds of men, some wearing swimming flippers, moving through streets as authorities attempt to control the flow. Additional clips show migrants emerging from the sea and scaling the rocky shoreline.
A U.S. representative criticized Spain's socialist prime minister, linking the influx to the government's amnesty policy. He posted that the situation illustrates the consequences of offering amnesty.
Earlier this year, Spain launched an “extraordinary regularization” program that allows certain undocumented migrants to obtain legal residence and work permits. The government describes the measure as a tool for economic integration, while opponents label it a mass amnesty.
Ceuta's president formally asked the prime minister to declare a national emergency to address the surge. The interior ministry rejected the request, stating that migration flows are not covered by civil protection regulations.
Spanish officials said they are mobilizing resources and cooperating with Moroccan and international authorities to restore order. The prime minister emphasized the need for an immediate response.
The White House also condemned the situation, warning that policies facilitating mass migration could have severe consequences. It urged European governments to reverse such approaches.
The prime minister has argued that immigration is essential to Spain's demographic and economic stability, citing low birth rates and the need to sustain public services. He called for orderly integration of migrants to avoid long‑term decline.
