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[INTERNATIONAL] · Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Italy, Greece · 5 sources

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Part of situation: EU migration route shifts and border policy responses (2 clusters)

EU illegal migration falls 35% overall, but rises 34% on routes to Spain

illegal migration Frontex European Union border policy Mediterranean migration routes Ceuta border crisis

Data from the European border agency Frontex indicates that illegal border crossings into the European Union fell by 35 percent during the first eight months of the year compared to the same period in 2025. This decline is evident across several major routes, including a 55 percent drop on the Central Mediterranean route toward Italy and Malta, and a 58 percent decrease on the West African route to the Canary Islands.

However, the Western Mediterranean route toward Spain has seen a significant reversal, with illegal crossings increasing by 34 percent to approximately 15,900 cases. Migrants are increasingly utilizing routes through Algeria to reach the Spanish mainland and the Balearic Islands. This trend follows a massive influx in late July, where Spanish authorities reported approximately 72,000 people crossing from Morocco into the enclave of Ceuta.

In response to these shifting patterns and specific crises like the one in Ceuta, the European Commission is considering tightening migration policies. Proposed measures include the temporary suspension of asylum rights during mass influx events, expanding the authority of Frontex, and establishing EU-funded deportation centers.

Entities

Ceuta · European Union · Frontex · Hans Leijtens · Melilla · Spain · Ursula von der Leyen

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

Nelegální migrace do Evropy se hroutí – silný nárůst vykazuje pouze Španělsko [www.infokuryr.cz]
L'UE constate une baisse de 35 pour cent du nombre de franchissements illégaux des frontières [fr.businessam.be]
EU chce po krizi v Ceutě dále zpřísnit svou migrační politiku, píše Euronews - Tvoříme Evropu [tvorimevropu.cz]
EU ziet aantal illegale grensoverschrijdingen met 35 procent dalen [businessam.be]
Illegal immigration falls in Europe, but rises by 34% on the route to the Balearics [www.majorcadailybulletin.com]