After more than 230 years of relatively open borders, the Spanish government has announced a major policy shift, committing to the expulsion of undocumented migrants who enter the country without authorization.
Spain and Italy are among the Mediterranean nations most affected by irregular migration. Official figures indicate that Spain currently has approximately 600,000 undocumented migrants. Until now, those arriving via the Canary Islands, Gibraltar, the Balearic Islands, and various coastal towns on the mainland were largely received without immediate deportation. In some smaller towns, migrant populations have outnumbered native residents.
The government has identified the primary nationalities of undocumented arrivals, with migrants from Morocco, Romania, Algeria, Niger, and Senegal making up 80% of those who enter Spain without legal authorization. The national police, along with regional law enforcement, have been directed to detain these individuals and hold them in secure facilities until they can be deported either by land or special flights.
The European Commission has played a role in shaping migration policies across the region, encouraging a welcoming approach that has particularly affected Mediterranean nations. The Canary Islands, in particular, remain a key destination for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa.
The situation has been especially dire in Spain’s two autonomous North African cities, Ceuta and Melilla. These territories, located on Moroccan soil but governed by Spain, are heavily fortified with fences, barbed wire, ditches, and surveillance systems. Despite these security measures, young migrants continue to enter, either by scaling the barriers or arriving in small boats that evade patrols.
Each year, approximately 70,000 undocumented migrants reach the coasts of Spain and Italy. In response, Spain is also tightening its asylum policies. Barcelona, a key destination for migrants, has announced an increase in deportations, including of unaccompanied minors.
Public outrage over migration policies intensified following the murder of an educator at a foreign minors’ center. On Sunday, three teenage residents, aged 14 and 15, reportedly strangled her with a belt before fleeing in her car. They were later apprehended by the Civil Guard.
While undocumented migrants are not legally allowed to work, many find employment in the informal economy. The government continues to provide free healthcare, but the number of migrants from Latin American countries—including Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Argentina—remains unclear, as they have traditionally been granted visas due to historical and cultural ties with Spain.
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