Spain has begun dismantling two emergency migrant camps near Ceuta’s port after relocating nearly 2,000 people, as authorities move to wind down temporary facilities established following July’s unprecedented mass border crossings from Morocco.
Territorial Policy Minister Ángel Víctor Torres announced Tuesday, November 10, that the two port sites had been cleared of adult migrants following operations launched over the weekend. The temporary tents will now be removed, allowing the areas to return to their previous use.
The operation marks a new phase in Spain’s response to the July 30–31 crisis, when more than 70,000 people crossed into Ceuta from Morocco, overwhelming reception facilities and prompting a major security and humanitarian operation.
Torres said nearly 17,000 adult migrants had returned to Morocco since August 10, according to figures he presented Tuesday.
Government spokesperson Elma Saiz separately provided a detailed breakdown based on figures updated through November 9, putting the total at 15,671. These included 14,942 voluntary returns, 277 expulsions and 452 enforced returns.
Spanish authorities have also processed 1,500 asylum cases, while 849 applicants have withdrawn their requests for international protection, Saiz said.
Despite the camp closures, approximately 5,000 adult migrants remain in state-managed accommodation in Ceuta, according to Torres.
The operation has also brought renewed attention to unaccompanied minors. Torres said 304 children and adolescents had been accommodated at the two port sites and had since been transferred to other facilities.
He called on Ceuta’s local government to establish appropriate reception centres for the minors, arguing that responsibility for their care falls under the city’s jurisdiction.
The minister said Madrid had provided €88 million to support the establishment of facilities for migrant children, while insisting that minors should not be housed alongside adults.
The government described the dismantling of the port camps as an important step towards restoring normal conditions in Ceuta, although thousands of migrants remain in reception facilities and administrative procedures continue.
Madrid also announced that a programme offering direct consumer discounts would become operational Tuesday to support local businesses affected by the crisis.
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