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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:
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greencatwitch · 31/07/2026 13:35

Another thread on this? really?

Getting desperate because Reform is down in the polls and Burham has had a good start?

Do you think they are swimming from Spain to the UK as well?

Give it a rest and stop reading the Daily Mail...

sickflight87 · 31/07/2026 13:33

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.

Absolutely this

something2say · 31/07/2026 13:32

I think that the world is so unequal that people swarm to where they think it is better. Unless we resolve that, we are going to see a lot of this sort of thing.

patooties · 31/07/2026 13:31

Do you live in Spain?

Marroon · 31/07/2026 13:30

Is this a repost? I swear the other one has literally the same title?

Summerhillsquare · 31/07/2026 13:30

theres already a thread on this tiresome hysteria.

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.

BillieWiper · 31/07/2026 13:26

Yeah swimming all the way to mainland Spain. 🤣

I don't live in Spain so their immigration policy doesn't affect me.

Newbutoldfather · 31/07/2026 13:25

I think it is a big problem for the Spanish, but I don’t think it sets a precedent in any way.

Southern Europe is close to the Maghreb and so is the first port of call for African immigrants.

With global warming, though, there is going to be loads of northwards migration. It will be very challenging.

Octavia64 · 31/07/2026 13:24

Ceuta is physically on the African coast.

i don’t see the Spanish allowing undocumented arrivals on the ferries to Spain.

Motomum23 · 31/07/2026 13:24

YANBU - however Ceuta is not mainland Europe - its a tiny part off the edge of morrocco - all they have to do is close the airport and open a pne way gate to Morocco and they'll all leave again
Id be interested to know who is paying these young men to swim around the headland though!