Some MEPs say the renewed migration crisis in Ceuta “once again demonstrates the consequences of migration policies that send the wrong signals.”
The claim, by the ECR group in the EU parliament, comes as 60,000 people are locally estimated to have crossed into the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco in the last 24 hours.
It appears that this is part of an apparent attempt to overwhelm the Spanish border.
At least 34 people are believed to have died during the surge and the Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez reportedly said the crossings violated Spain’s territorial integrity.
The PM has blamed human trafficking gangs for the crisis.
Some EU political leaders have called for swift returns of migrants back to Morocco while the new UK prime minister Andy Burnham reportedly described the chaotic scenes of migrants scrambling onto the shores as a “cause for concern.”
Responding to the crisis, the ECR group says the current situation is the “predictable result of years of policy choices that have weakened deterrence, encouraged illegal migration and undermined confidence in Europe’s ability to protect its external borders.”
ECR Group Co-Chairman Nicola Procaccini said: “What we are witnessing in Ceuta is the direct result of years of weakness, mixed messages and political denial.
“When a government regularises illegal residence on a massive scale, it should not be surprised when many more people conclude that reaching Europe illegally will eventually be rewarded.
“Europe must regain control of its external borders. Frontex must be substantially strengthened with the resources, personnel and capabilities needed to support frontline Member States. Those who enter the European Union illegally and have no right to remain must be returned without delay,” said Procaccini.
Further comment came from ECR Group Co-Chairman Patryk Jaki who said: “Pedro Sánchez’s policy of mass regularisation has sent precisely the wrong message to migrants and smugglers: enter illegally, remain long enough, and political decisions may eventually legalise your presence.
“Illegal entry must never become a shortcut to legal residence, permanent status or citizenship. Decisions taken by a Member State have consequences for the entire Schengen Area. The European Commission must therefore assess the cross-border impact of such policies and ensure that national migration decisions do not undermine the security of other Member States,” said Jaki.
Elsewhere, Diego Solier, leader of the Spanish ECR Delegation, added, “The people of Ceuta should now not be left alone with the consequences of irresponsible migration policies. Europe must stand with Ceuta.
“The Sánchez government has consistently prioritised ideological gestures over effective border management. Spain needs a government that protects its borders, dismantles the business model of people smugglers and restores confidence that illegal entry will not lead to legal residence.”
