EU Denies Entry to Record Number of Moroccan Migrants at Spanish Borders

Despite the geographical proximity and the relations described as close between Morocco and Spain, the largest number of refusals recorded at the European level comes from the Iberian peninsula. This peculiarity of the northern neighbor is due to the two main enclaves, Ceuta and Melilla, where 97% of the rejections were recorded.

Only 5,000 Moroccans were denied access to the European Union at the level of seaports and airports. Out of 228,500 Moroccans denied access, 97% tried to use the customs crossings of Ceuta and Melilla. The Spanish authorities impose the same access measures to the presidios as to the European area.

According to a Report of a European Union Commission, the number of Moroccan nationals in an irregular situation in Europe was 38,700. They thus top the list of illegal immigrants in the Schengen Area. In addition, 33,500 Moroccans were ordered to leave the European territory, exceeding other non-European communities.