Moroccan minors transferred from Ceuta amid overcrowding crisis at Spanish reception centers
Spanish Authorities Relocate Dozens of Minors Amid Overcrowding Crisis in Ceuta
Urgent Transfers as Migrant Numbers Surge, Raising Concerns About Human Rights
Ceuta, Spain – In response to a surge in migrant arrivals over the weekend, Spanish authorities have begun relocating dozens of unaccompanied minors, including Moroccan nationals, from overcrowded reception centers in Ceuta. Local reports indicate that 27 Moroccan minors were transferred to other regions across Spain as part of an emergency support plan coordinated between regional and central governments.
This move comes after what officials described as the largest attempted mass crossing of the summer on Saturday. Both Spanish and Moroccan border authorities raised their alert levels at crossings into Ceuta and Melilla in anticipation of increased pressure.
Overcapacity Crisis Forces Action
Ceuta’s local government formally requested urgent support from Madrid after the number of minors housed in its facilities surged to 500, nearly four times the legal capacity of 132. To cope with the influx, officials are now considering opening new reception facilities, particularly in Ceuta’s industrial zones.
Long-Term Solutions Needed
While Spanish authorities have stepped up oversight of these centers, concerns remain about potential human rights violations amid accelerated transfers. Migration researcher Khalid Mouna warned that the crisis should prompt a deeper reflection on Morocco's responsibility in addressing the continued outflow of vulnerable populations, particularly minors.
"This situation calls into question the effectiveness of Morocco’s public policies for youth employment, education, and reintegration," Mouna told Hespress AR. He noted that while unaccompanied child migration is not a new issue, its persistence poses significant long-term demographic challenges for Morocco. "These children represent the country's future workforce, and their departure comes as Morocco, like many nations, confronts an aging population."
Mouna emphasized that the central issue is not just overcrowded reception centers but Morocco’s inability to prevent the migration of minors, many of whom swim to Ceuta in risky solo crossings before reaching adulthood. Spanish authorities typically move quickly to relocate such minors to avoid forced repatriation when they turn 18.
Media Exaggeration vs. Lack of Structural Solutions
Journalist Hassan Bentaleb, who specializes in migration affairs, cautioned against media exaggeration of minor migration cases. "Every summer, we see a spike in irregular crossings and an overflow in reception centers. This is not a new phenomenon," Bentaleb told Hespress AR. He criticized the lack of structural solutions, saying that each year, local and central Spanish governments engage in the same debates without implementing long-term strategies. “They rely on temporary redistribution tactics rather than real reform,” he said, also highlighting regional disparities in the quality of services provided to migrant minors in Spain’s north versus the south.
The crisis reflects ongoing challenges in managing irregular migration and protecting the rights of unaccompanied minors, amid shifting border pressures and unresolved bilateral issues between Morocco and Spain.