Spain approves migration reform bill and unified command for Ceuta crisis
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Spain's government on August 25 approved a preliminary bill reforming migration and asylum legislation to align with the EU migration pact. The Council of Ministers also formally created a unified command to coordinate the response to the Ceuta migration crisis, following the influx of about 80,000 migrants on July 30-31.
Key Facts
- Spain's Council of Ministers approved a preliminary migration and asylum reform bill on August 25.
- The government created a unified command led by Territorial Policy Minister Ángel Víctor Torres to coordinate the Ceuta crisis response.
- An estimated 80,000 migrants entered Ceuta on July 30-31, according to authorities.
- More than 90% of people who crossed illegally into Ceuta have already voluntarily returned to their countries of origin, Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said.
- The bill introduces a border procedure of up to 12 weeks for international protection claims and allocates €25 million for Ceuta infrastructure.
Migration Reform Bill
The preliminary bill aligns Spanish law with the European migration pact and introduces a common European pre-screening procedure for migrants. The procedure will apply on the coast of the Canary Islands and at the borders of Ceuta and Melilla. A border procedure of up to 12 weeks will handle international protection claims directly at the border. Ceuta is to receive €25 million for the necessary infrastructure.
Unified Command
The unified command will be led by Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory Minister Ángel Víctor Torres. Ceuta government head Juan Jesús Vivas, government delegate Miguel Ángel Pérez Triano, and representatives of the National Intelligence Centre will also participate. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez convened the National Security Council before the cabinet meeting to declare the Ceuta crisis a matter of national security interest. The decision came almost a month after the crisis began, with opposition parties and Vivas having criticized the central government for delays.
Crisis Response and Recovery
First Vice-President and Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo described the unified command as part of the 'third phase' of crisis response. Earlier phases focused on containing the migrant flow and providing humanitarian aid and voluntary return. More than 90% of illegal border crossers have already voluntarily returned, according to Cuerpo. Remaining tasks include repatriating those without the right to stay, expediting cases of minors and international protection claimants, and restoring Ceuta's economy and social fabric. Authorities are preparing a separate economic aid package of about €180 million for Ceuta's recovery.
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Spain approves migration reform bill and unified command for Ceuta crisis
