Migrants Who Entered Ceuta: “Morocco Didn’t Send Us, But No One Stopped Us”

The mass entry of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta last week has a clear explanation, according to those who lived it. Many say they were not forced by Moroccan authorities to cross the border—but they also say no one tried to stop them. “Morocco didn’t send us,” one migrant told reporters. “But nobody held us back either.” The statement challenges official narratives that suggest the crossings were orchestrated. Instead, it points to a security vacuum or a deliberate lack of intervention at the border. Ceuta, a Spanish territory on Africa’s northern coast, saw hundreds of people swim or wade across the frontier in a single day. The influx overwhelmed local reception facilities and sparked a diplomatic dispute between Spain and Morocco. Migrants described a chaotic scene: no police presence on the Moroccan side, and only limited response on the Spanish side. For many, the journey was improvised—a sudden opportunity they felt forced to take. “We saw the gate was open,” another migrant said. “We ran.” Spanish officials have not confirmed whether Moroccan forces were ordered to stand down. Morocco has denied any involvement in facilitating the crossings. The situation remains tense. Spain has since increased patrols and returned some migrants, but dozens remain in Ceuta, awaiting processing. For those who made it, the explanation is simple: “We came because we could. And because no one said no.”