EU chief calls for stronger borders after Ceuta migrant crisis

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for action to strengthen Europe's border security after tens of thousands of migrants surged into and quickly left Spain's North African territory of Ceuta, sparking diplomatic tensions between Madrid and other European capitals.

In a letter to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Monday, von der Leyen wrote: “From this episode, it is clear we must do more to reinforce our borders at key points, including through careful surveillance and the use of physical barriers where necessary.”

She also praised the Spanish Socialist leader's swift handling of the crisis after most migrants had departed Ceuta and authorities began installing a 500-meter floating barrier at the border with Morocco. “Order has been re-established and the return system has worked,” she wrote in the letter.

Spain estimates that about 69,500 migrants have returned to Morocco over the past four days, surpassing the initial estimate of 50,000 who arrived in the territory on Thursday. Ceuta's local government said 88 people died trying to reach the enclave, while at least 11 deaths were recorded in Morocco.

Ceuta and Melilla, another Spanish enclave, are the EU's only land borders with Africa. Both cities have seen periodic spikes in crossing attempts, although neither allows free movement into the EU as they are outside the Schengen border-free zone.

EU interior ministers will hold emergency talks on Tuesday, which von der Leyen described as an opportunity to learn from the crossings. She said the EU needs to focus on five areas: strengthening cooperation with non-EU countries to prevent migration; enhancing external borders; deploying early warning systems; dismantling smuggling networks; and increasing returns of those without the right to stay.

Italian media reported that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government wants to accelerate the opening of offshore migration centers, which Europe's top human rights expert recently warned risk becoming “human rights black holes.” The EU opened the door to offshore detention centers in June in an unprecedented shift from legal norms, as part of legislation aimed at stepping up deportations of those without legal residence.

Amid heavy criticism of the EU's fragmented response to the Ceuta crossings, von der Leyen stressed that Spain can access EU funds as well as support from the border agency Frontex. Madrid has so far not requested Frontex assistance.

The crossings—exploited by far-right politicians across Europe—have exposed deep divisions over migration that have isolated the Spanish leader.

Over the weekend, Sánchez criticized other governments for not backing Spain, after Italy and Denmark led calls to temporarily exclude Spain from the Schengen zone. Sánchez said such attitudes were “driven by prejudice, fake news, ignorance, or political interests” and contrary to European law, humanitarian principles, “and the solidarity that binds us.”

Italy and Denmark organized a letter signed by 20 other EU member states, seemingly blaming the crisis on Sánchez's decision to regularize the status of 500,000 undocumented migrants. “We have an obligation to effectively and resolutely prevent and combat illegal migration,” the 22 leaders wrote, arguing for the need to address “any policy that could create pull factors, like the regularisation of a very large number of illegal migrants.”

EU member states favoring a hardline approach to migration are expected to raise the “pull factor” issue on Tuesday. “There are concerns that the regularisation of 1.2 million people could be used to paint a picture that the door is open,” one EU diplomat said, referring to the approximate number of people who have applied for regularisation under the Spanish government's 2026 program. Academic research has found no evidence of a pull effect from regularisation programs on irregular migration flows.

Michele LeVoy, director of Picum, a group advocating for the rights of undocumented migrants, said regularisation programs have been criticized by EU governments for two decades. “If one EU country introduces the possibility of regularisation, other member states believe that could lead to secondary movement—that's what EU member states don't want, and that explains the harsh reaction.”

Amid widespread suspicion that Morocco facilitated the crisis, von der Leyen described the country as an “important strategic partner,” particularly in fighting “irregular migration.” Officials said that before the Ceuta crossings, the Commission was seeking to upgrade EU diplomatic ties with Morocco into a “strategic and comprehensive partnership.” The EU has similar agreements with Egypt and Tunisia, including commitments to curb migration, but has faced heavy criticism from human rights groups.

Von der Leyen wrote: “Regarding anything related to Ceuta and Melilla, we can strengthen border management early warning systems and improve technical and financial support for Morocco.”

Human rights groups say people seeking work or fleeing persecution need safe pathways for movement. LeVoy said: “On Ceuta, political games are being played with the lives of people on both sides of the border—those hoping for a better life, and those made to fear a so-called 'invasion.' But what happens in and around Ceuta is fundamentally the result of Europe's inaction on decent work permits and other legal pathways, along with the dismantling of its asylum system.”