In a press statement released late on 20 October, Spain’s Ministry of Territorial Policy reported that 12,705 migrants who entered Ceuta irregularly between 10 August and 20 October have returned to Morocco, either voluntarily or through assisted-return programmes. The ministry credits joint patrols, legal counselling and a €25 million fund for unaccompanied-minor care approved in August. Officials stress that returns are “individual, safe and in compliance with international law”, countering criticism from NGOs that collective expulsions have occurred. The communiqué lists 10,100 mixed police-military patrols carried out since August and says a new biometric registration centre will open in Ceuta by mid-November to accelerate asylum screening. Business-travel stakeholders should note that the government plans to keep the special border command post operational until year-end, meaning sporadic ID checks could continue at Ceuta’s port despite the expected lifting of Spain-Italy Schengen controls. The ministry also confirmed negotiations with Rabat to expand seasonal-worker corridors for agriculture, aiming to channel migration through legal avenues and reduce pressure on Ceuta. Analysts say the return figure, if verified, could ease diplomatic strains with Morocco and bolster Spain’s argument in Brussels for additional EU funding under the Pact on Migration and Asylum.
