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CEUTA, Spain (AP) — Spanish authorities say thousands of migrants who stormed the border into the North African enclave of Ceuta have already been removed.  Officials are claiming that more than 25,000 people have either voluntarily returned to Morocco or been deported. Spain is racing to regain control following one of the largest migration surges in the territory's history.

Spain's Ministry of the Interior said authorities were processing migrants at an estimated rate of approximately 150 people per minute as the government worked to ease the crisis that overwhelmed the small autonomous city.

The influx dramatically altered daily life in Ceuta, a Spanish territory on the northern coast of Africa, where officials said tens of thousands of migrants crossed from neighboring Morocco in a short period.

Spanish officials described the situation as an unprecedented emergency requiring a major military and law enforcement response.

Ceuta Overwhelmed When Migrants Stormed the Border

According to Ceuta President Juan Jesús Vivas, approximately 60,000 migrants entered the enclave during the border surge.

The city, which normally has a population of about 85,000 residents, suddenly experienced an enormous increase in population over the course of a single day.

Authorities said many of those arriving possessed few belongings and lacked basic supplies. Reports from the city described migrants gathering in public areas, bathing in fountains, and leaving behind significant amounts of trash and debris.

Local police forces, Spain's National Police, Civil Guard officers, and military personnel were deployed throughout Ceuta as businesses closed and many residents remained indoors amid concerns about public safety.

Spanish officials said the majority of those entering Ceuta were Moroccan men.

Officials also reported that dozens of people died during the broader border crisis, highlighting the dangers associated with large-scale migration attempts.

Spain Accelerates Deportations when Migrants Stormed the Border

Spain's Interior Ministry said more than 25,000 migrants had already been returned to Morocco or had voluntarily departed by Friday.

Government officials described the deportation effort as one of the fastest in recent memory as authorities attempted to reduce pressure on Ceuta's infrastructure and restore normal operations.

Officials stated that border processing continued around the clock, with additional personnel assigned to immigration enforcement.

The government has not announced when the remaining migrants will be processed but indicated that repatriation efforts would continue until the situation is stabilized.

Prime Minister Condemns Border Breach

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the mass crossing during a Friday news conference, describing it as both "an attack" and a violation of Spain's territorial integrity.

Sánchez said Spain has increased military deployments to Ceuta while also expanding maritime security operations.

The government has ordered additional divers, maritime service vessels, and other security resources to reinforce the border.

Officials also announced plans to install floating barriers, including buoys, designed to make unauthorized crossings more difficult.

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Migrants Stormed the Border in Spain 

Sánchez pledged that his government would work to prevent similar incidents in the future.

He also said Spain's legislature is considering legal ch anges that would streamline the repatriation of migrants who enter the country illegally.

According to Sánchez, lawmakers could modify existing immigration laws to make future deportations more efficient while strengthening border enforcement.

Court Ruling Adds New Challenges

The latest border crisis follows a recent ruling by Spain's Supreme Court concerning migrants attempting to reach Ceuta and Melilla.

Earlier this month, the court ruled that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach the Spanish enclaves cannot automatically be returned under the territories' special border rejection procedures.

Spanish officials argued that criminal human trafficking organizations have exploited the legal uncertainty created by the court's decision.

The government has indicated it intends to pursue legislative changes that clarify border enforcement authority while addressing future migration emergencies. They want to be prepared.

Migrants Stormed the Border in Spain Trump Reacts 

Speaking from Camp David on Friday, President Donald Trump characterized the events in Ceuta as a "catastrophe."

Trump said video footage from the Spanish enclave appeared to show widespread disorder and described the situation as looking "like an invasion."

He also warned that similar migration pressures could become significantly worse elsewhere under different immigration policies.

The comments came as Spanish authorities continued efforts to secure the enclave and process thousands of migrants.

More Information

• Spain's Ministry of the Interior: https://www.interior.gob.es/
• Government of Spain (La Moncloa): https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/
• European Commission – Migration and Home Affairs: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/
• UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR): https://www.unhcr.org/
• International Organization for Migration (IOM): https://www.iom.int/