Ceuta—Lessons Learned 2 Weeks Later
19th August 2026
On July 30, up to 80,000 people crossed illegally from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. They swam or climbed the fence separating the North African country from a territory Spain has claimed since the 15th century. Most were young men. Most were Moroccans, but hundreds came from sub-Saharan Africa.
As many as 100 people died attempting the swim. Many migrants were expelled, but thousands hid in the hills around the town. Some migrants attempted to rob local businesses or homes, vandalized property, or caused disturbances. Local authorities report that several girls, some under 14, were raped in areas where migrants were detained or congregated.
Two weeks later, thousands of illegal migrants remain in Ceuta. Some of them are demanding to be taken to mainland Spain. The immediate crisis is waning but could repeat at any time.
What happens now? For the Daily Signal, immigration expert Simon Hankinson spoke to Spanish expert Juan A. Soto, founder of Fortius Consulting.