The White House has sharply criticized Spain's left-wing government following a significant surge of migrants from Morocco into the Spanish African enclave of Ceuta. Thousands of migrants crossed the border into Ceuta on July 30, 2026, overwhelming authorities and prompting Ceuta's president to formally request a national emergency declaration, which was subsequently denied by Madrid.

Thousands of migrants, many appearing to be military-aged men, were seen pouring across the border and into the streets of Ceuta. Videos depicted chaotic scenes, with migrants running and cheering as they entered the Spanish territory, some having swam from the Moroccan side. Over the past 10 days, more than 2,000 migrants have crossed into Ceuta, a period described by local officials as being of "particular intensity."

Ceuta President Juan Jesús Vivas requested that Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declare a national emergency to address the border crisis. However, Spain's Ministry of the Interior stated that migratory flows do not fall under the state civil protection regulations and therefore cannot be addressed through a national emergency declaration.

"President Trump has long warned Europe what would happen if they continue to implement far-left, globalist policies – including enabling mass migration," White House principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told Fox News. "Spain and other countries who have adopted this destructive philosophy should immediately reverse course or risk their own demise."

Prime Minister Sánchez acknowledged the situation, stating on social media that the Spanish government is "fully committed to providing an immediate response to the situation in Ceuta." He added that Spain is "mobilizing all necessary resources, working with Moroccan and international authorities, and preparing the necessary measures to restore normalcy as soon as possible."

Spanish and Moroccan maritime patrols, supported by Spain's Maritime Rescue service, conduct rescue operations off the southern coast of Ceuta after a sharp increase in migrant arrivals to the Spanish enclave in North Africa. Nearly 2,000 migrants have reached Ceuta over the past two weeks, most by swimming around the Tarajal breakwater separating Spain from Morocco. The arrivals include hundreds of unaccompanied minors, prompting local authorities to warn that child protection facilities have been overwhelmed as rescue and border surveillance operations continue.

Sánchez has faced criticism from conservatives in Spain, who argue that the country's policy of providing social services to minors who enter the country illegally encourages mass migration. Conservative journalist Javier Negre pointed out that minors who cross the border cannot be sent back to Morocco and must be cared for by the Spanish state until they turn 18.

"It’s proof that Europe and Spain are on the verge of becoming a failed continent because of the future policies and promotion of this illegal invasion under Pedro Sánchez," Negre stated.

Conversely, Sánchez has defended migration, arguing in a February op-ed in The New York Times that a low birth rate necessitates immigration to sustain Spain's economy and public services. He wrote that "The West needs people. Currently, few of its countries have a rising population growth rate. Unless they embrace migration, they will experience a sharp demographic decline that will prevent them from keeping their economies and public services afloat."