World · Europe · 7 hrs ago
Spain returns 16 migrants from Ceuta to Morocco after rejecting protection claims
Spain returned 16 migrants from Ceuta to Morocco after rejecting their requests for international protection.
The migrants, most of them from sub-Saharan Africa, had time to appeal but did not do so, according to Spain’s Interior Ministry.
More people in Ceuta have received rejection notices, but they still have time to challenge the decisions.
The returns differ from other recent departures that Spain calls voluntary, including people leaving after camps were cleared and police operations took place.
Rights groups say the 16 returns may be irregular because people of their nationalities may have stronger grounds for asylum; the ministry says the returns were legal.
Spain says further decisions and returns are expected in the coming days, while a senior government minister is due to present figures on Wednesday.
Spain returned 16 migrants who had arrived in Ceuta to Morocco after their applications for international protection were rejected.
The migrants did not appeal the decisions within the time allowed, according to Spain’s Interior Ministry.
The ministry said the returns were lawful, while some associations said they were irregular because the migrants’ nationality could make them more likely to qualify for asylum.
On Monday, police delivered further rejection decisions to migrants at Ceuta’s temporary immigration centre, who still had time to appeal.
The government said about 13,000 people had returned to Morocco from Ceuta since 10 August through various routes, with only a small percentage forced to return.
- Who
- Spanish authorities returned 16 migrants, most of them from sub-Saharan Africa.
- What
- They were returned to Morocco after their international protection claims were rejected. They did not appeal within the allowed period, according to the Interior Ministry.
- When
- On Friday; the article was published on 26 October 2026.
- Where
- From Ceuta, Spain, to Morocco.
- Why
- Their protection claims were rejected, and they did not appeal within the time allowed, according to the Interior Ministry.
Associations critical of the returns
Spain’s Interior Ministry
Legality
Associations critical of the returns
Some associations said the returns were irregular because the migrants’ nationalities were more favourable for asylum.
Spain’s Interior Ministry
The ministry said the returns were lawful and that the migrants had not appealed.
Protection claims
Associations critical of the returns
The associations raised concerns about returning migrants with nationalities that could make them more likely to receive asylum.
Spain’s Interior Ministry
The ministry said the migrants’ protection claims had been rejected.
The period covered by the government’s estimate of about 13,000 returns from Ceuta to Morocco began.
Spain expelled 25 sub-Saharan migrants to Morocco; 23 were Sudanese, according to Interior Ministry sources.
Returns described by the government as voluntary increased after camp clearances and police operations.
Spain returned 16 migrants to Morocco after their protection claims were rejected and they did not appeal.
Police delivered further asylum or international protection rejection decisions to migrants at Ceuta’s temporary immigration centre.
- Migrants returned
- 16
- Destination
- Morocco
- Protection decisions
- Claims for international protection were rejected
- Appeal status
- The 16 migrants did not appeal within the allowed period
- Returns since 10 August
- About 13,000 people returned to Morocco through various routes
- Earlier case
- 25 sub-Saharan migrants were expelled on 25 September, including 23 Sudanese
What people are saying
they are in accordance with the law, the migrants had not filed an appeal
they were denied international protection