The Spanish government faces a narrowing path to resolve the Ceuta migration crisis as the Audiencia Nacional suspended the use of the port to house migrants, while the Partido Popular (PP) leadership declared a complete block on transferring unaccompanied minors to the mainland. According to government officials, the Audiencia Nacional issued a precautionary suspension halting the preparation of the port to accommodate nearly 2,000 individuals intended to relieve pressure on Ceuta’s beaches. Meanwhile, the PP leadership announced it rejects the relocation of any minor to the Spanish mainland, even on a temporary basis, while their return files are processed.
The PP and Vox Align Against Minor Transfers from Ceuta
The national leadership of the PP aligned with Vox in its rejection of minor transfers, backing an extreme-right initiative in Congress that opposes the relocation of children and young people who arrived during the massive entries of July 30 and 31. According to PP deputy Ana Alós, the party rejects realoigining the minors because it “avalas que los menores puedan instrumentalizarse como arma de presión en las fronteras y lo volverán a hacer,” while asking for the enforcement of the 2007 return agreement with Morocco. Vox deputy Blanca Armario defended the party’s stance during the debate by stating, “Nos negamos a que los españoles se tengan que acostumbrar al caos. Los menores, con sus padres y los mayores, a sus países de origen.”
The PP’s stance carries decisive weight because the legal guardianship of the minors belongs exclusively to the autonomous city of Ceuta. Without the signature of Juan Jesús Vivas, who belongs to the PP, moving any minor to the mainland remains extremely difficult despite the central government approving 90 million euros for the operation and destination places being ready. According to the government, Vivas has only authorized the departure of five minors under an agreement with socialist-governed Navarra. High-level PP sources defended the block by arguing that even temporary transfers would trigger a “call effect” that prompts new mass border jumps.
Did You Know? Until the current crisis, Ceuta routinely agreed to minor transfers, having sent 700 unaccompanied minors from the autonomous city to the Spanish mainland in 2025.
Government Response and Institutional Clash Over Competencies
The executive branch insists that relocating minors to the mainland is the only viable option to prevent the crisis in Ceuta from becoming deeply entrenched. According to the Ministry of Infancia, led by Sira Rego of IU, the ministry proposed housing 500 girls in vulnerable profiles on the mainland via specialized child-care entities while Ceuta retained legal guardianship, but authorities await Vivas’s signature. “Estos traslados permitirían continuar con los expedientes independientemente del lugar en el que se encuentren los niños y niñas,” stated the Ministry of Infancia, which criticized the PP for using the situation to maintain pacts with Vox and seek electoral gains.
Juan Jesús Vivas defended his position in an interview with Antena 3, complaining that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s public appeals were “inaudito” and noting that Ceuta hosts 2,000 unaccompanied minors due to a “vulneración de la integridad territorial de España” that falls outside the city’s direct competence. Vivas maintained that while reception is a city duty, “la inscripción y la entrega de los menores es competencia de la Administración General del Estado.” Sánchez expressed open frustration with Vivas in the corridors of Congress, stating that responsibility for the minors currently on the streets rests directly with the local president.
Dispute Over the European Pact on Migration and Asylum
To address the returns, the PP argues that the European Pact on Migration and Asylum should be applied to expedite deportations through special procedures designated for situations where migration is “instrumentalized” by third-party states. The pact defines instrumentalization when a hostile third country or non-state actor facilitates the movement of third-country nationals toward external borders to destabilize a member state. However, proving that Morocco orchestrated the border crossings with the intent to destabilize Spain presents a significant legal hurdle.
Furthermore, the European framework maintains fundamental asylum safeguards, including the principle of non-refoulement and mandatory representatives for vulnerable minors throughout repatriation proceedings. The central government noted that implementing these safeguards has actually slowed down repatriation paperwork rather than accelerating it, as establishing local agreements for the required minor defenders proved difficult. Meanwhile, Ángel Víctor Torres, the head of the single command in Ceuta, appealed directly to all autonomous communities to accept minors as soon as their legal files are finalized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who holds the legal guardianship of the unaccompanied minors in Ceuta?
According to the source material, the legal guardianship and competence over unaccompanied minors belong exclusively to the autonomous city of Ceuta, headed by Juan Jesús Vivas.
What is the financial allocation approved by the government for the operation?
The central government has approved 90 million euros across two funding allocations for Ceuta to manage the operation.
What is the PP’s official argument against transferring minors to the mainland?
High-level PP sources argue that moving minors to the mainland, even temporarily, would activate a “call effect” that leads to new mass border attempts into the autonomous city.
How will local and national leaders resolve the impasse over Ceuta’s sheltering capacity in the coming weeks?
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