Spain Imposes Border Checks on Italy Amid Ceuta Migration Crisis; Meloni and Sanchez Clash Over Migrant Flows

The number of migrants who crossed into Ceuta is reported as 72,000 by some sources and 78,000 by others.

Italy introduced border controls following an influx of about 78,000 migrants from Morocco into the neighbouring Spanish exclave of Ceuta.

Spain has implemented temporary border checks on travelers arriving by air and sea from Italy, intensifying tensions between these two European Union nations regarding migration policies. Italy had previously enacted similar measures following a significant influx of migrants into Spain. This ongoing conflict underscores the contrasting perspectives on border regulations and the management of migrants within the European Union.

Move comes in response to Rome imposing similar measures after mass migration rush to Ceuta Spain has announced it will introduce temporary border checks on visitors from Italy in response to Rome imposing similar measures after a mass rush of people from Morocco into Ceuta. The checks, which come “amid the persistent irregular migration pressure” facing Italy, will start at midnight on Saturday and last until 7 September, Spain’s interior ministry said in a statement. Continue reading...

Spain will introduce temporary border checks on travellers from Italy in response to Rome imposing similar measures.

Spain announced Friday that it would introduce border controls for travellers arriving from Italy in retaliation for Rome imposing similar measures. The rare spat between the EU nations came after tens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco to Spain's North African territory Ceuta in an unprecedented, deadly rush.

Spain threatened on Friday to impose restrictions on travellers from Italy unless Rome lifts by Sunday the border controls it introduced last week following a mass influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Italy swiftly responded, saying it would not accept “ultimatums or impositions” from Madrid, adding that it would keep in place its suspension of Schengen rules for non-EU nationals arriving from Spain until at least August 15. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s conservative government had previously said the more robust travel checks would remain in force until the end of the month. The Spanish government said Italy’s decision to reintroduce controls on arrivals from Spain was “unjustified, contrary to the interests of the European Union and discriminatory against the Spanish population”. It promised to adopt “proportionate measures” against Italy unless Meloni rolled back the new constraints by Sunday. However, in a toughly worded statement, Meloni’s office said Spanish authorities had themselves warned of a new migrant influx into Ceuta on August 15. It said it would only reconsider its decision once it was certain there was no new migration wave, no security or terrorism risk to Italy and no irregular migrants heading towards European territory. Spain’s Civil Guard has said it is aware of calls online for a fresh border crossing attempt at Ceuta on August 15, however it is not clear how many people might take part. Spain accuses Italy of ignoring facts As many as 72,000 people rushed to cross the border last week and dozens died in the attempt. Most have since returned to neighbouring Morocco but hundreds of unaccompanied minors remain in Ceuta. Italy, which does not share a land border with Spain, justified its decision to partially suspend the EU’s border-free Schengen arrangements to prevent any of the migrants who entered Ceuta from travelling to Italy. There has been no indication that any of them want to travel to Italy, or have the money to pay for an airline ticket. Madrid said the Italian move was based on “spurious arguments” that lacked any factual basis because the migrants who entered Ceuta irregularly could not gain access to the Schengen area. Italy and Spain split on migration policy The dispute between the two EU allies marks a new low in relations between the right-winger Meloni, and Spain’s Socialist prime minister, Pedro Sanchez. Meloni has positioned herself as one of Europe’s leading advocates of tighter immigration controls, while Sanchez has generally defended a more liberal approach and recently backed a large-scale regularisation programme for undocumented migrants. “I think what were saying is reasonable. What doesn’t hold water at all is Italy’s stance towards Spain. The impression is that Ms Meloni is on a crusade,” Spain’s Youth Minister Sira Rego told Spanish public broadcaster TVE1. In Friday’s statement, the Spanish government said Italy had registered the highest number of “irregular crossings in recent years”, with figures that have been double those of Spain.

Spain has told Italy it will impose entry checks on visitors unless Rome halts its controls by Sunday. Even though they don't share a land border, the countries entered a spat after the Ceuta border rush.

Spain had warned Italy it would impose entry checks on visitors unless Rome halts its controls by Sunday. Even though they don't share a land border, the countries entered a spat after the Ceuta border rush.

Madrid warns of 'proportional measures' if Rome does not put an end to checks amid fallout from Ceuta migrant crisis.

Spain said Italy had been "unjustified" for taking border action after the mass crossing of migrants from Morocco last week.

The Spanish government urged Italy to lift border controls no later than August 9