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

[ChirpyUmberBiscuit]

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!

Well in terms of very young men, so late teens its to avoid conscription to the various regimes of their home countries. We see a lot of that

There are a lot of blood fueds and violent family histories that families decide the male offspring should get away from, they're at higher risk of the violence from this

Males are generally seen as needing to protect the rest of the family, get out there and make a life for themselves, perhaps its too late for the parents, the girls and mothers are seen as needing to remain where they are, they are usually in other places of safety but not progressing a life (perhaps not seen to need to progress their lives).

Women are seen as caregivers rather than go getters. So the males are the ones who need to break away

Because Brian is a very English name so in their mind it’s acceptable to refer to Brian as being a domestic abuser and slag the English people off. You can see the ridiculous illogical thinking in what that poster has said can’t you. They think it’s unacceptable to use the name Mohammed but somehow seem ok with using Brian and haven’t mentioned anything about that! How strange.
These people seem quick to jump on the bandwagon of calling those who speak up about it immigration a ‘racist’ yet they seem blind to their own racism.

British Pakistani individuals are arrested near or slightly above the White British rate

Bullshit.

😂

He certainly seemed obstructive regarding the release of detailed crime statistics;

20 July 2026
The Ministry of Justice has launched a legal challenge to prevent the publication of detailed crime statistics on foreign nationals...

https://londonlovesbusiness.com/david-lammy-ministry-of-justice-migrant-crime-data-ico-appeal/

Have to say that after my fleeting initial concern - I am actually quite reassured by the speed and force with which the Spanish authorities stepped in to control this.

Am pleased it has lead to a Europe wide discussion over the issue, though, and hopefully there will be an investigation into the social media campaign that sparked it, into what drove that many young men (it is always men) to want to get to take advantage of it. There needs to be a global discussion on how to support the nations these economic migrants are leaving - could the foreign aid we send be put into enterprise development funds, training and education so that local economies are stimulated and citizens better qualified so that their earning power and material wealth can be enhanced?

What does concern me is the motivation behind the media campaign - by diverting the Europe's attention to Cueta, has it provided an opportunity for other illegal immigration and smuggling activities to take place elsewhere? Was it a ‘Hey, look, squirrel!’ diversionary tactic by the smuggling rings?

There are a lot of blood fueds and violent family histories that families decide the male offspring should get away from, they're at higher risk of the violence from this

Thanks, @likelysuspect, that's interesting.

But - for many of the points, and particularly the one I've quoted above - why does it have to be Europe? I say that because, surely a country of similar cultural and religious beliefs which is nearer to them ought to be their destination if claiming asylum?

And more to the point, why are they so desperate to get to England

Its rarely Europe, the vast majority of asylum seekers or people feeling war/terror go to other ME or African countries. We as in the UK take very few, very few as a percentage fo the overall total come here.

People are more likely to go to other ME and African countries if they are of a view that they want to go back, you cant exactly claim asylum as such in Syria for example.

Many of the women and girls are already out but in places like that or neighbouring countries.

Because we provide so many benefits for them.

I was just about to post the same thing, Clavinova

It's a bit odd to see denials of something that's plainly there on record about Lammy's attempts, but maybe howls of "rubbishh" and "lies" are all some have left when faced with inconvenient facts?

Quite a few males, genuinely believe they are going ahead to provide for relatives. They think they will get a job, a flat and be reunited.

Yes to set up a base as such. There is often a lot of pressure on the one who comes first. Sometimes a lot of money has been paid to someone to facilitate the journey and theres even more pressure because that money has to be paid back. Many families are quite middle class so they have the money to do hat, bu many dont and are in a lot of debt and the person who comes here is then worried about pressure on the family back home to keep paying this money back.

However you can only join family in the UK if you are a child elsewhere in the world. You cant join family in the UK if you are an adult outside of the UK

Agreed. There has to be a reason. They have no reason to travel all the way through Europe to England just for things like avoiding conscription.

How sad you don't mind beheadings & people defecating on streets & parks!

That's interesting - that must be why some men claim not to know their age?

At a school I worked at we had a (very nice, polite) lad who we all had to pretend was 17. It was very, very obvious that we were dealing with a young man of almost 30.

There will be some who say "oh they know English. They have friends and family here"

If I was someone "stuck" in France I'd not risk death to go to England. I'd try and learn some french and make a start in french society. I actually like Paris sometimes.

https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/gazan-family-refugee-status-asylum-rejection-gwsq2c8b

Not for much longer once more people hear about this route.

At a school I worked at we had a (very nice, polite) lad who we all had to pretend was 17. It was very, very obvious that we were dealing with a young man of almost 30

I wonder if he'd have remained "nice and polite" if the pretence that everyone believed his age claim had been dropped, @CoffeeCantata?

Probably aggressive turn to violence

What do you mean? It’s a short ferry ride to mainland Spain, it’s a shorter distance than the channel crossing. A train, bus or walk into France. Its quite simple if borders don’t work.

Unlawful immigration has not reduced substantially or otherwise under this government, it’s increased.

2023: 37,000 detected illegal arrivals.
2024: 43,000
2025: 46,497

But I’m sure you made an honest mistake and are not trying to shut down debate by imply anyone is racist and deliberately posting false information.

Its complex. Many threads to this. English is becoming a world wide language, the colonial past, misinformation, relatives already established here, escaping hideous trauma/ poverty, trying to get out of a hell hole and yes trying to reinvent yourself.
I think young people are risk takers.

I actually like Paris sometimes
Unbelievable.

They have absolutely no reason to travel all the way through Europe and over to England passing many safe countries in the process. I honestly don’t give a shit about your reasons or excuses for it.

I do. Only sometimes and some parts. It's a city with lots of history and culture. But obviously over the decades it's suffered some issues.