Post #4326685

2026-08-02 09:28 UTC

The Facts: Ceuta is not Europe. Ceuta is an enclave of Spain in North Africa, a remnant of Spanish trading outposts and colonialism. Ceuta does not belong to the Schengen Area; an uncontrolled border crossing to the European mainland is not possible. Worldwide, right-wingers and racists are speaking of an "invasion." The representation is being artificially exploited through panic-mongering. The reality is far more sober and objective. Anyone entering Ceuta—whether legally or illegally—has not officially entered the EU. Ceuta does not belong to the Schengen Area. To get from Ceuta to the Spanish mainland independently, one needs either EU citizenship, a valid entry permit such as a valid visa, or a successfully completed asylum process. Spain and Morocco announced as early as Thursday that they would return all arrivals to Morocco. Returns began on Friday, and almost all refugees are already back in Morocco. #Ceuta #Spain #immigration #refugees #politics

Replies (5)

@grassrootsforeurope@mas.to 2026-08-02 09:31

The Timing is Relevant Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited Algeria last week for the first time in four years—Morocco's rival in the region. Spain wants to improve its relations with Algeria. This displeases several actors: not only the USA, which wants to isolate Algeria, but also the King of Morocco, who views Algeria as the main enemy of Moroccan interests. That Morocco's government may have brought the migrants to the border itself is shown by videos of vans full of people stopping near the border under the supervision of Moroccan police. Investigations by the New York Times also support this assumption; numerous participants in those reports recount being instructed by Moroccan police officers to go to the border.

Open ##4343880
@wendinoakland@beige.party 2026-08-02 11:30

@grassrootsforeurope@mas.to also getting a very Point Roberts reference, but yeah, not really.

Open ##4343884
@nichni@mastodonapp.uk 2026-08-02 12:39

@grassrootsforeurope@mas.to Makes me wonder, if Gibraltar actually (almost perfectly mirroring Ceuta) is in Europe, as it belongs to the U.K. ??

Open ##4343886
@gimulnautti@mastodon.green 2026-08-02 13:25

@grassrootsforeurope@mas.to Another stirring of the pot for racists and authoritarians to signal and find each other better. It’s not about facts. It’s about who’s on what side and who can you trust not to tell on you when you break some bones.

Open ##4357164
@Thebratdragon@mastodon.scot 2026-08-02 13:55

@grassrootsforeurope@mas.to at this rate, Britain will be asking for Tangiers back.

Open ##4357165