Spain’s U-Turn: 500 Migrant Children to Leave Ceuta for Mainland

The Spanish government has reversed its position and will now allow 500 unaccompanied migrant children to move from Ceuta to the Spanish mainland. This decision marks a shift from its earlier stance, which stated that anyone who entered the territory illegally would be sent back. Ceuta is a Spanish territory located on the coast of North Africa. On 30 July, an estimated 70,000 people crossed into the area. While most of them have since returned to Morocco, Spanish law requires the state to care for young migrants who arrive without their families. This duty of care remains in place until each child reaches the age of 18. The relocation plan applies specifically to these 500 minors. The government’s previous policy had been to return all illegal entrants, but the legal obligation to protect unaccompanied children has led to this change.