This past Sunday marked the conclusion of the Spanish dream that thousands of illegal immigrants have been yearning for since their arrival in July. The temporary stay in Spain for nearly 1,000 individuals from the Trampolín beach camp has come to an end.
This situation may seem paradoxical to many observers. Logically, one would assume that the primary desire of these immigrants is to be registered as quickly as possible so they could enter temporary camps and eventually continue their aspirations for a better life in Spain through the asylum process. A commonality shared by both Moroccan and sub-Saharan migrants was their determination to cross into mainland Spain or even other European countries. Rarely did one hear testimonies from individuals expressing a desire to remain in Ceuta; in fact, such sentiments were virtually non-existent.
However, the reality has unfolded quite differently. During the initial phase of the evacuation from Trampolín beach, approximately 1,100 immigrants were transferred to the Temporary Attention Center for Foreigners (CATE), and many made the decision to voluntarily leave Spain and return to Morocco. On Monday, police forces continued to evacuate hundreds who remained in the area.
Upon reaching the CATE, the National Police informed the immigrants of the situation they would face moving forward. If they chose to register at the CATE, which involved the filing of their immigration data, they risked having their asylum requests denied, which could lead to their expulsion from Spain for a duration of five years. While this is not a standard rule, the massive influx of arrivals has made it possible for authorities to apply such measures.
Conversely, if the immigrants opted to bypass the registration process and return to Morocco voluntarily, they would not face repercussions in Spain and could potentially re-enter the country without a waiting period in the future. This argument, repeatedly emphasized by border police, proved persuasive for many, leading to approximately 800 migrants crossing the border back to Morocco of their own volition.
Throughout the process, the immigrants engaged in light-hearted banter, mixing Moroccan Arabic and Spanish, assuring the police that "nothing would happen" as they planned to "return later." This approach effectively persuaded a significant number of migrants to voluntarily return to Morocco, especially at a time when Ceuta has transformed into a makeshift CETI (Centre for Temporary Stay of Immigrants) with camps established in various neighborhoods, continuously expanding to accommodate those still in Ceuta.
Particularly notable is Trampolín beach, which has emerged as an iconic symbol of the massive influx and the subsequent crisis faced by Ceuta.
However, the situation is far more complex, with numerous hidden realities, including hundreds of immigrants who sleep in neighborhoods and rarely venture out. This may very well necessitate a second phase of the evacuation initiated by the government.
A More Than 12-Hour Operation
The National Police implemented a gradual and systematic approach throughout Sunday to evacuate the immigrants, moving them out of Spain in a controlled manner. The immigrants were seen sitting on the ground under the visible presence of the Rapid Intervention Unit and the Prevention and Reaction Unit of the National Police. The scene, with riot control equipment mingling with the fog and rain threatening the beach, resembled a movie set.
Starting around 7:30 AM, the immigrants at Trampolín beach began to gather their belongings, positioning themselves to await further developments. The absence of visible police presence and military units, coupled with the early arrival of cleaning crews, led many immigrants to believe they were being relocated elsewhere.
However, with the arrival of an extensive police deployment featuring 50 vans, two BMRs, a 'Hummer,' ten military vehicles, and three Civil Guard boats, any lingering doubts dissipated. Initially, the immigrants, anticipating what might happen next, began to chant: "Morocco, no; Morocco, no," while calling out the name of the Prime Minister, "Pedro, Pedro," in reference to the government leader.
The morning unfolded with a steady stream of buses transporting immigrants in groups of 30-35, gradually increasing to over 50 per bus as the day progressed. Each bus was accompanied by at least two UIP agents to maintain order and prevent any potential unrest among the passengers.
Amid this constant movement between the beach and the CATE, the immigrants accepted their fate as they were taken to the border facility. Initially, it was logical to think they would be transferred to available camps within the city after registration, but that was never the plan. Despite ongoing efforts to open new camps, there were still not enough accommodations for the remaining immigrants in Ceuta.
Surprisingly, it became apparent that most of the immigrants, after spending two months at Trampolín beach, chose to return to Morocco rather than go through the registration process with the Spanish government.
At the border, additional UIP units were assisting with registration and the transportation of immigrants opting out of the asylum process. This operation saw over thirty buses arriving at the CATE, effectively ending the hopes of many immigrants for a lengthy asylum process that would ultimately prove detrimental to their situation since their arrival in July.
There remains much to be done in Ceuta. Beyond the beaches, thousands of immigrants continue to reside in streets, public squares, and hidden areas without receiving any form of support or intervention. They, too, await the moment a solution is presented to them.
As reported by elespanol.com.
