U.S. Criticizes Spain’s Response to Ceuta-Morocco Border Crisis

The White House criticized Spain’s left-wing government following the collapse of the border between Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave, and Morocco. White House principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly issued a statement mentioning President Trump’s long-standing warnings about the consequences of far-left policies, including mass migration. Kelly urged Spain and similar countries to reconsider their approaches.

Ceuta’s president, Juan Jesús Vivas, requested a national emergency declaration after over 2,000 migrants entered the territory from Morocco in ten days. Videos have shown migrants, mostly young men, entering Ceuta, some with swimming flippers, while authorities struggle to manage the situation. Migrants have been seen swimming into Ceuta from Morocco, overwhelming the local police.

Vivas called for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to declare a national emergency due to the border crisis. However, the Spanish government declined, citing civil protection regulations that do not recognize migratory flows as a national risk, according to El País.

“The Government of Spain is fully committed to providing an immediate response to the situation in Ceuta. We are mobilizing all necessary resources, working with Moroccan and international authorities, and preparing the necessary measures to restore normalcy,” Sánchez stated in a post on X.

Sánchez faced criticism from conservative factions over immigration policies that provide social services to minors entering Spain illegally. Critics argue these policies incentivize mass migration. Javier Negre, a conservative journalist, expressed concern over Spain’s requirement to care for minor migrants until they reach adulthood, seeing it as proof of potential future policy failures.

Sánchez defended the need for migration, citing Spain’s low birth rates and the necessity of immigrants to sustain the economy and public services. According to his February op-ed in The New York Times, Sánchez emphasized the importance of integrating migrants to avoid economic decline, noting challenges like stagnating GDP and stressed healthcare systems without population growth.

Fox News Digital contacted Sánchez and Vivas for further comments on the situation.