Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to be deeply concerned about the recent influx of 30k+ undocumented arrivals in Spain?

736 replies

ChirpyUmberBiscuit · 31/07/2026 13:17

AIBU to feel really unsettled by the recent news coming out of Spain and Ceuta? Reports are showing that tens of thousands of undocumented migrants have crossed over in such a short window, completely overwhelming local infrastructure, reception centers, and security forces.

I know migration is always a sensitive and compassionate topic, but looking at these numbers practically, I don't see how any European border region can absorb 30,000 to 50,000 arrivals almost overnight without severe strain on public resources, local housing, and emergency services.

What worries me even more is the precedent it sets for the rest of Europe and the UK down the line. Surely there has to be a firm balance between humanitarian support and actual, enforceable border control?

Am I being completely unreasonable to view this as a serious policy and security crisis, or are others feeling equally concerned about where this leads?

Would love to hear honest thoughts on how this should actually be handled!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
ShautyMels · 01/08/2026 22:46

glowfrog · 01/08/2026 22:41

If you are concerned about men committing acts of violence- especially against women - maybe you could show more just as much outrage about Brian doing it as you do about Mohammed. You would think it would be easier to do something about the men who are born here and grow up here, wouldn’t you? Surely we should have more control over what kind of person they turn out to be.

Maybe that’s what it’s all about. You’ve given up trying to do something about the homegrown abusers and rapists but throwing bricks at the foreign ones is pretty easy and does give you that nice feeling of things being under control.

Why do we need to import more men from worse cultures who are more likely to abuse women?

Nettie1964 · 01/08/2026 22:41

BeanNaGealai · 31/07/2026 14:23

Fine to discuss it. And yes, I agree, it warrants discussion.

However, frothing at the mouth about fictional risks and outright lies is not a discussion. It's propaganda designed to encourage fear and hatred.

Before David Lammy was removed he was trying to find a legal way to hide the number of crimes committed by illegal immigrants. If there is nothing to fear why hide the numbers of rapes, sexual assults and violent crime?

glowfrog · 01/08/2026 22:41

Batrat · 01/08/2026 22:33

But if they’re homegrown then how could anybody stop them being in the UK? We are putting people at risk, I simply want to know why. It’s the least I expect from a Government and is one of the core functions of a border.

If you are concerned about men committing acts of violence- especially against women - maybe you could show more just as much outrage about Brian doing it as you do about Mohammed. You would think it would be easier to do something about the men who are born here and grow up here, wouldn’t you? Surely we should have more control over what kind of person they turn out to be.

Maybe that’s what it’s all about. You’ve given up trying to do something about the homegrown abusers and rapists but throwing bricks at the foreign ones is pretty easy and does give you that nice feeling of things being under control.

Batrat · 01/08/2026 22:33

glowfrog · 01/08/2026 22:27

I don’t dispute the idea or fact that men that come from deeply misogynistic cultures are more likely to commit acts of sexual violence and/or do so. I do get pissed off when it’s used as a cover for racism because there’s nowhere near the same level of outrage when it comes to homegrown domestic and sexual violence.

But if they’re homegrown then how could anybody stop them being in the UK? We are putting people at risk, I simply want to know why. It’s the least I expect from a Government and is one of the core functions of a border.

ShautyMels · 01/08/2026 22:32

Yoheresthestory · 01/08/2026 22:32

What are you on about feelings? Must have sounded smart in your head.

What was so racist about what she said? Did her facts hurt your feelings?

Yoheresthestory · 01/08/2026 22:32

ShautyMels · 01/08/2026 22:24

Facts don't care about your feelings

What are you on about feelings? Must have sounded smart in your head.

glowfrog · 01/08/2026 22:27

Greenleavesandsunshine · 01/08/2026 22:17

Actual statistics and hard data from Sweden indicates men of middles eastern, North African and Afghan backgrounds are significantly more likely to commit sex crimes. These are actual acts of actual violence, not possible, actual. Is that real enough for you?
Men (sex not gender) are way more likely 95%+ to commit sex crimes. Within that men from certain backgrounds commit, statistically, more sex crimes.

This is not theoretical. There are reasons the Scandinavian countries are hardening their stance on immigration.

I am outraged by all sex crimes, we need to do do our utmost to reduce these crimes. Can you think of a way we can reduce sex crimes? Perhaps removing those most likely to commit them perhaps?

I don’t dispute the idea or fact that men that come from deeply misogynistic cultures are more likely to commit acts of sexual violence and/or do so. I do get pissed off when it’s used as a cover for racism because there’s nowhere near the same level of outrage when it comes to homegrown domestic and sexual violence.

ShautyMels · 01/08/2026 22:24

Yoheresthestory · 01/08/2026 22:13

You’re very racist.

Facts don't care about your feelings

ShautyMels · 01/08/2026 22:24

glowfrog · 01/08/2026 22:06

I repeat: where is the outrage about the domestic sickos and rapists?

As per my reply to another poster, you should care more about ACTUAL ACTS OF VIOLENCE being committed rather than POSSIBLE THEORETICAL ONES. If you care about preventing crime based on who’s likely to commit it, why stop at skin colour and ethnic background? Go with the gender and banish men somewhere, that’ll take care of both the domestic and foreign criminals.

I am outraged at them.

Was Rhiannon Whyte theoretical?

Greenleavesandsunshine · 01/08/2026 22:17

glowfrog · 01/08/2026 22:06

I repeat: where is the outrage about the domestic sickos and rapists?

As per my reply to another poster, you should care more about ACTUAL ACTS OF VIOLENCE being committed rather than POSSIBLE THEORETICAL ONES. If you care about preventing crime based on who’s likely to commit it, why stop at skin colour and ethnic background? Go with the gender and banish men somewhere, that’ll take care of both the domestic and foreign criminals.

Actual statistics and hard data from Sweden indicates men of middles eastern, North African and Afghan backgrounds are significantly more likely to commit sex crimes. These are actual acts of actual violence, not possible, actual. Is that real enough for you?
Men (sex not gender) are way more likely 95%+ to commit sex crimes. Within that men from certain backgrounds commit, statistically, more sex crimes.

This is not theoretical. There are reasons the Scandinavian countries are hardening their stance on immigration.

I am outraged by all sex crimes, we need to do do our utmost to reduce these crimes. Can you think of a way we can reduce sex crimes? Perhaps removing those most likely to commit them perhaps?

Yoheresthestory · 01/08/2026 22:13

Flyingintotheunknown · 01/08/2026 21:19

Why is it that when immigration is mentioned, you lefties go on about the crimes committed by British people. We KNOW British people commit crimes. The uproar is about thousands more just being allowed to pour into the UK from 3rd world countries, being housed near schools, women, children and committing rapes, crimes and murders. These crimes would not have happened if they hadn’t been allowed into the country and dispersed into communities! What we are saying is we don’t want all this shit on top of our own home grown criminals. What part of that don’t you understand??

You’re very racist.

glowfrog · 01/08/2026 22:06

ShautyMels · 01/08/2026 21:20

Both are disgusting and make me feel sick

But if we already have our own domestic sickos and rapists, why import more in?

I repeat: where is the outrage about the domestic sickos and rapists?

As per my reply to another poster, you should care more about ACTUAL ACTS OF VIOLENCE being committed rather than POSSIBLE THEORETICAL ONES. If you care about preventing crime based on who’s likely to commit it, why stop at skin colour and ethnic background? Go with the gender and banish men somewhere, that’ll take care of both the domestic and foreign criminals.

ShautyMels · 01/08/2026 22:02

glowfrog · 01/08/2026 22:02

You should care more about the ACTUAL REAL ACTS OF VIOLENCE being committed than the POSSIBLE THEORETICAL ONES. Capital letters for emphasis.

If you want to prevent crime based on who is most likely to commit it, I’m pretty sure most men of any ilk should be banished somewhere, since the statistics are pretty damning on who commits violence. Why stop at skin colour or cultural origin when gender alone would take care of the problem, whether homegrown or not?

If we have violent natives no need to make things worse by importing violent foreigners.

glowfrog · 01/08/2026 22:02

Flyingintotheunknown · 01/08/2026 21:19

Why is it that when immigration is mentioned, you lefties go on about the crimes committed by British people. We KNOW British people commit crimes. The uproar is about thousands more just being allowed to pour into the UK from 3rd world countries, being housed near schools, women, children and committing rapes, crimes and murders. These crimes would not have happened if they hadn’t been allowed into the country and dispersed into communities! What we are saying is we don’t want all this shit on top of our own home grown criminals. What part of that don’t you understand??

You should care more about the ACTUAL REAL ACTS OF VIOLENCE being committed than the POSSIBLE THEORETICAL ONES. Capital letters for emphasis.

If you want to prevent crime based on who is most likely to commit it, I’m pretty sure most men of any ilk should be banished somewhere, since the statistics are pretty damning on who commits violence. Why stop at skin colour or cultural origin when gender alone would take care of the problem, whether homegrown or not?

likelysuspect · 01/08/2026 21:47

bafta16 · 01/08/2026 18:49

The relevance is that due to the UK colonizing,some countries have English as a Second Language. That has been cited to me ( in conversation with people seeking asylum ) as a pull factor.
The demographic has changed though, of course.

Most dont have English as a second language, let alone any language, do you work with asylum seekers?

Greenleavesandsunshine · 01/08/2026 21:36

I’m a leftie.
However, facts are facts. Men from countries like Syria and Afghanistan are significantly more likey to commit sex crimes. Look to Sweden where they publish figures with country of birth. That is not to say that Swedish men do not commit sex crimes it’s just others are way, way more likely to do so. This does not mean these people are not traumatised or they are not people.
We need to be clear eyed. If we let in young men from countries with a track record of significant violence against women and lack of women’s rights then a number of these young men will bring that violence with them.
They might be coming to the U.K. because of past crimes we have committed or colonisation or for a variety of other reasons. You need to ask yourself are you prepared to risk the young women - of all cultures in the U.K. - being exposed to these attitudes and actions. Is your belief in the U.K.’s past guilt worth subjecting young women in the U.K. to this violence?
It’s uncomfortable but we have to act to protect young women in the U.K.

ShautyMels · 01/08/2026 21:33

In many parts of London residents can't speak English

Clavinova · 01/08/2026 21:32

bafta16 · 01/08/2026 21:06

Oh and I’m still waiting for you to explain what relevance the English colonising other countries many years ago
As mentioned the people of these countries often speak English, were educated in English,and therefore feel it might work for them.

punished with mass illegal migration I don't agree that its a punshment.

As mentioned the people of these countries often speak English, were educated in English, and therefore feel it might work for them.

Perhaps we should give asylum seekers an English test when they first arrive then. Those who pass a written and oral test can stay - whereas those who failed to take advantage of British colonisation and learn English can't stay. It's one way of differentiating the masses and would save tens if not hundreds of millions of pounds on interpreters and translation costs.

Sarilliam · 01/08/2026 21:25

Yes you are, Spanish government has reacted promptly and only around 2K are still in the process of being sent back, all the rest are back in Morocco. Sadly 50+ lost their lives.

Flyingintotheunknown · 01/08/2026 21:20

bafta16 · 01/08/2026 21:19

Please direct me to the back tracking?
If you can't see the link, well there are no words.

I give up! Go and make up some more stories. Hopefully better ones than you’ve already posted today 🤣

ShautyMels · 01/08/2026 21:20

glowfrog · 01/08/2026 21:17

I hope you’re being wilfully obtuse and not just dim. Why is rape and sex-based violence tolerated in a way that the mere possibility of it from foreigners isn’t? Where are the demonstrations when yet another woman gets murdered by their British partner?

Both are disgusting and make me feel sick

But if we already have our own domestic sickos and rapists, why import more in?

Flyingintotheunknown · 01/08/2026 21:19

glowfrog · 01/08/2026 21:17

I hope you’re being wilfully obtuse and not just dim. Why is rape and sex-based violence tolerated in a way that the mere possibility of it from foreigners isn’t? Where are the demonstrations when yet another woman gets murdered by their British partner?

Why is it that when immigration is mentioned, you lefties go on about the crimes committed by British people. We KNOW British people commit crimes. The uproar is about thousands more just being allowed to pour into the UK from 3rd world countries, being housed near schools, women, children and committing rapes, crimes and murders. These crimes would not have happened if they hadn’t been allowed into the country and dispersed into communities! What we are saying is we don’t want all this shit on top of our own home grown criminals. What part of that don’t you understand??

bafta16 · 01/08/2026 21:19

Flyingintotheunknown · 01/08/2026 21:16

You’re backtracking on a lot of stuff you’ve said aren’t you 🤣

And again, what the fuck has colonisation from many years ago got to do with the mass illegal immigration in the UK in 2026? Fuck all that’s what.

Please direct me to the back tracking?
If you can't see the link, well there are no words.

glowfrog · 01/08/2026 21:17

ShautyMels · 01/08/2026 21:10

Both are disgusting. But just because we have domestic rapists doesn't mean we should import mor.

I hope you’re being wilfully obtuse and not just dim. Why is rape and sex-based violence tolerated in a way that the mere possibility of it from foreigners isn’t? Where are the demonstrations when yet another woman gets murdered by their British partner?

Flyingintotheunknown · 01/08/2026 21:16

bafta16 · 01/08/2026 21:13

I am pointing out the history of colonisation and immigration. I also said its a big mess and in addition I wonder why the Home Office can't do their jobs effectively. What is behind all this....what is behind the situation in Cuenta?
I fear I am wasting my time.

You’re backtracking on a lot of stuff you’ve said aren’t you 🤣

And again, what the fuck has colonisation from many years ago got to do with the mass illegal immigration in the UK in 2026? Fuck all that’s what.

Swipe left for the next trending thread