Migration & Borders
Ceuta: Macron offers Spain help, orders more checks
French President Emmanuel Macron ordered France to strengthen controls at its border with Spain and said France was ready to help Spanish authorities manage a migrant influx into Ceuta, a presidential aide said Friday.
The aide said France could provide support, including through the European border agency Frontex, if Spain requested it.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez earlier said France was increasing checks at the Spanish border after thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain's north African enclave. Nunez said on X that he had ordered stepped-up controls at the border on Thursday night and announced a rapid intervention border force for in-depth inspections.
A police source said thousands of migrants crossed overnight from Morocco into Ceuta on Friday and that around 40,000 had crossed into the territory in recent days. Ceuta has a population of about 80,000.
Update
A presidential aide said Emmanuel Macron ordered France to strengthen controls at the border with Spain.
The aide said French support for Spain could include support through Frontex if Spain requested it.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 July 2026 at 11:29:01 UTC.
Update
An aide said French President Emmanuel Macron said France is ready to provide support to Spain in the migrant crisis.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 July 2026 at 11:14:06 UTC.
Update
France activated a rapid intervention border force for in-depth inspections.
A police source said around 40,000 migrants had crossed into Ceuta in recent days.
Nunez said France had a mobile force permanently deployed and would take measures if movements toward French territory occurred.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 July 2026 at 09:12:05 UTC.
Update
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said he ordered an immediate increase in controls at the Spanish border on Thursday night.
Nunez said he had spoken with his Spanish counterpart and would speak with him again Friday.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 July 2026 at 09:01:27 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The scope and duration of the strengthened French border controls are not specified.
French support for Spain was described as conditional on a Spanish request.
Source
AFP news report published on .