# EU response to Ceuta migration crisis

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/eu-response-to-ceuta-migration-crisis
> Updated: 2026-08-05T05:56:38.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2.

In late July, leaders of 22 EU member states, including Poland’s Donald Tusk, signed a joint letter urging rapid action to protect the Union’s external borders after a surge of migrants reached the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The letter called for an urgent video conference of interior ministers, stronger border controls, and coordinated assistance to Spain and Morocco, while noting a Spanish Supreme Court ruling that limits automatic expulsions.

By early August, tens of thousands of migrants had indeed entered Ceuta, prompting the requested video meeting of EU interior ministers. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz joined the joint letter, and Spain reported that most arrivals had already been returned. The episode sparked political criticism within Germany and reinforced calls from EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for an immediate halt to illegal crossings, dismantling of smuggling networks, and swift returns of migrants.

## Claims

- More than 50,000 migrants from Morocco entered Ceuta in recent days. (single source)
- EU interior ministers held an urgent video meeting to discuss the Ceuta migration crisis. (single source)
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signed a joint letter with 22 EU member states to prevent uncontrolled border crossings. (single source)
- Ines Schwerdtner, leader of Germany's Left party, publicly criticised Merz, accusing him of falling into the “ultra‑right trap”. (single source)
- Ursula von der Leyen called for an immediate end to illegal crossings, dismantling smuggling networks and rapid returns of migrants. (single source)
- The Spanish government reported that most of the migrants have been returned to Morocco. (single source)
- Schwerdtner warned that disinformation, possibly AI‑generated, may be used to destabilise the situation. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-05: Friedrich Merz Criticised Over Ceuta Migration Crisis

Tens of thousands of migrants entered Ceuta; EU ministers met urgently, German Chancellor Merz signed a joint EU letter, and Left leader Ines Schwerdtner criticised him, while von der Leyen demanded swift anti‑

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/friedrich-merz-criticised-over-ceuta-migration-crisis

### 2026-07-30: EU Leaders, Including Poland's Donald Tusk, Issue Joint Letter on Ceuta Migration Crisis

EU leaders, including Poland's Donald Tusk, signed a joint letter demanding urgent action on the Ceuta migration crisis, calling for an extraordinary video conference and coordinated border controls.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eu-leaders-including-polands-donald-tusk-issue-joint-letter-on-ceuta-migration-crisis

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Cite as: EU response to Ceuta migration crisis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/eu-response-to-ceuta-migration-crisis