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
pointythings · 31/07/2026 18:56

LostNFoundSV · 31/07/2026 18:53

Agreed. It was approx 60k when I saw it on sky news website earlier.

And over half have already been sent back... Do keep up.

LostNFoundSV · 31/07/2026 18:53

Duvetdayneeded · 31/07/2026 13:27

It’s now documented to be about 49,000 and it is absolute fuck up for the UK as they are in the majority going to come to our country because we give them such a free ride. I Stress I don’t mind genuine asylum seekers, but these are economic immigrants and we are fucked. We need to cease almost all foreign aid because our country is going to the toilet.

Agreed. It was approx 60k when I saw it on sky news website earlier.

TankFlyBossW4lk · 31/07/2026 18:50

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Weeellokthen · 31/07/2026 18:48

Fucking Spanish gvnmnt have got the blood of nearly 60 people on their hands.
Disgrace!

gardenflowergirl · 31/07/2026 18:47

When they realise there's nowhere to live and nothing to eat, they'll soon go back.

Fredabasset · 31/07/2026 18:38

pointythings · 31/07/2026 18:34

I'm not sure you are entitled to address her as 'tu', given you've never met her and certainly aren't a personal friend. 'vous etes capable' would be more appropriate.

Je vous prie de m'excuser pour mon erreur ; vous avez, bien entendu, tout à fait raison.

pointythings · 31/07/2026 18:34

Fredabasset · 31/07/2026 18:29

Vive Madame le Pen, vas-y, montre-leur de quoi tu es capable !
Je t'aime becaucoup !

I'm not sure you are entitled to address her as 'tu', given you've never met her and certainly aren't a personal friend. 'vous etes capable' would be more appropriate.

pointythings · 31/07/2026 18:32

Oh, for those on here scaremongering about how all the Ceuta migrants are coming here:

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/07/31/around-25000-migrants-returned-to-morocco-after-mass-border-crossing-into-ceuta

There you go.

Marine le Pen may well win the next election. That's how democracy goes. She won't last, any more than Geert Wilders did in the Dutch government. These people are all one trick ponies - they blame everything on immigration but never have any actual solutions. And most are on the grift, as amply demonstrated by our own Nige.

More than 48,000 migrants return to Morocco after mass crossing into Ceuta

More than 48,000 migrants return to Morocco after crossing into Ceuta

Some 48,000 of the roughly 50,000 people who crossed illegally into Ceuta since early Friday have already been returned to Morocco, as Madrid condemned the mass crossing as an "attack" on its sovereignty. #EuropeNews

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/07/31/around-25000-migrants-returned-to-morocco-after-mass-border-crossing-into-ceuta

Fredabasset · 31/07/2026 18:29

parallhel · 31/07/2026 18:26

Regarding North Africans moving through Spain and into France, well there is a Presidential election there in 2027 and Marine le Pen is a favourite to win. Remember who she is and what that means for mass immigration. Her time might have come.

Vive Madame le Pen, vas-y, montre-leur de quoi tu es capable !
Je t'aime becaucoup !

parallhel · 31/07/2026 18:26

Regarding North Africans moving through Spain and into France, well there is a Presidential election there in 2027 and Marine le Pen is a favourite to win. Remember who she is and what that means for mass immigration. Her time might have come.

pointythings · 31/07/2026 18:19

TickedOffAndALittleFedUp · 31/07/2026 18:02

Nope they only need to get into Gibraltar and they'll be over here in no time and no one will stop them. Zero issue with controlled immigration for people who have skills we need but 50,000 men running on land at the same time is an invasion by a huge number of individuals who very clearly do not mean to and can't stay in the place where they've forced entry

Why do you think they will all head for the UK? Migrants from North Africa tend to go to France, because they have a language in common. Thiss entire thread is a load of scaremongering.

Lalgarh · 31/07/2026 18:12

News also saying that Italy, Denmark and Finland are calling for a review of Schengen agreement. France is said to be reinforcing it's southern border

TickedOffAndALittleFedUp · 31/07/2026 18:02

Nope they only need to get into Gibraltar and they'll be over here in no time and no one will stop them. Zero issue with controlled immigration for people who have skills we need but 50,000 men running on land at the same time is an invasion by a huge number of individuals who very clearly do not mean to and can't stay in the place where they've forced entry

Fredabasset · 31/07/2026 17:59

Digerydont · 31/07/2026 17:22

William of Normandy arrived at Hastings with 7,000 to 10,000 men.

Enough to win the battle and take over England...

Fredabasset · 31/07/2026 17:57

TankFlyBossW4lk · 31/07/2026 17:08

Is this yet another goady rubbish thread about immigration. The bots are out.

Hi bot !

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 31/07/2026 17:47

They are estimating that 49,000 have made their way across to Ceuta with 18 having perished on the journey. That’s a lot of people on the move.

Digerydont · 31/07/2026 17:39

BBC say 60k with at least 50 died en route.

MaturingCheeseball · 31/07/2026 17:37

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 31/07/2026 17:33

Well people seemed to be deeply concerned about Gaza and that’s an acceptable concern I assume even though it doesn’t directly affect anyone living outside of Gaza.

Marvellous point !!

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 31/07/2026 17:33

LittleGreenShoots · 31/07/2026 17:01

Don't get swept up in the hysteria. This is not new, or mainline Spain, or anything more than an annoyance for Spanish officials to deal with.

Deeply concerned? Really? Do you have anxiety over other world events that don't affect you at all?

Well people seemed to be deeply concerned about Gaza and that’s an acceptable concern I assume even though it doesn’t directly affect anyone living outside of Gaza.

kateluvscats · 31/07/2026 17:33

sickflight87 · 31/07/2026 13:33

Absolutely this

I second this, we are being taken over, we are gullible as hell.

Flyingintotheunknown · 31/07/2026 17:31

Popstarrrrr · 31/07/2026 15:55

Do you realise the geographical location of Ceuta? Some swimming, flying or sailing will be required.

Hmmm the same can be said going from Calais to the UK… but they manage that!

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 31/07/2026 17:30

pointythings · 31/07/2026 17:28

Really? We aren't allowed to challenge distorted and inaccurate posts any more? When did that happen?

You can absolutely challenge posts that you think are inaccurate by counter arguing with facts. What you can’t do is blanket-accuse lots of people of being bots, trolls and shills and conveniently close down the debate

When did that happen? Well I’ve been here around 15 years and that rule certainly existed then.

pointythings · 31/07/2026 17:28

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 31/07/2026 17:24

There are no bloody bots. All posts that accuse posters of being trolls/bots/shills/AI agents need to be reported and they’ll be removed.

Really? We aren't allowed to challenge distorted and inaccurate posts any more? When did that happen?

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 31/07/2026 17:24

There are no bloody bots. All posts that accuse posters of being trolls/bots/shills/AI agents need to be reported and they’ll be removed.

Digerydont · 31/07/2026 17:22

William of Normandy arrived at Hastings with 7,000 to 10,000 men.