Ceuta’s president Juan Jesús Vivas has called for the “immediate and automatic” return of everyone who enters the Spanish exclave unlawfully during a new mass border crossing. In an interview with Cadena SER on Friday, Vivas reiterated his position, saying: “If you come in through this door, I’ll take you back out through this door.” He also urged the central government to provide a “definitive horizon” to stabilise the situation.
Vivas cited the city’s ongoing strain as justification. Referring to the local administration, he put the number of people remaining in Ceuta at 15,000 and warned of rising social tensions. He also said a return to normality depended on “all the people who arrived en masse and unlawfully” leaving Ceuta. Media reports in recent weeks have described extensive transfers and return measures, as well as a situation that remains tense.
The call comes at a time when the issue involves not only reception capacity but also allegations of violence against migrants. elDiario.es released video footage and accounts in mid-September said to show abuse by military personnel in Ceuta. Spain’s Government then announced, according to RTVE that it would have the allegations investigated. Proceedings are under way, and the courts have yet to assess the claims.
As a matter of law, blanket returns without individual assessment would be difficult to defend. Legal experts point to obligations under the Constitution, European law and international agreements, including the prohibition of collective expulsions and specific safeguards for unaccompanied minors. Government representatives regularly stress that returns must be supported by administrative and judicial safeguards and that minors must be treated separately. According to Cadena SER, Vivas said he was open to transferring minors to mainland Spain if a lawful return was not possible.
Politically, the proposal is likely to increase pressure on Madrid to remain operationally effective in the short term while also securing Morocco viable agreements. The combination of migration pressure, security incidents and legal constraints makes quick decisions difficult. How far “automatic” returns can be implemented in line with the law and established practice remains disputed. What is clear is that investigations into alleged abuses and questions of responsibility between the city, the Interior Ministry and the courts will significantly shape the scope for short-term measures in Ceuta.
Editor: Phillipe Schmidt-Araguin (Article created with AI assistance).