RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Newsweek — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 2 sources
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The arrival of thousands of migrants in Spain 's North African enclave of Ceuta has quickly become a talking point for some Republicans in the United States, who have pointed to the scenes as a warning of what they say could happen if Democrats regain power in Washington.
Large groups of migrants were filmed crossing into Ceuta on Thursday, one of the European Union's only land borders with Africa. Videos of the crossings circulated widely on social media after Spanish authorities reported thousands of arrivals over several days, prompting local officials to request additional resources. Spain responded by deploying extra police officers and military personnel, while rejecting calls to declare a national emergency.
Spain's Interior Ministry said Friday that an estimated 49,000 migrants had entered the North African enclave of Ceuta in the previous 24 hours.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said his government was "fully committed to providing an immediate response to the situation in Ceuta," adding in a post on X that authorities were mobilizing resources, working with Moroccan and international officials, and preparing measures to "restore normalcy as soon as possible." Sánchez said he had relayed that message to Ceuta regional president Juan Vivas and called for solutions based on "responsibility and cooperation."
The scenes in Ceuta were reminiscent of the migrant surges seen at the U.S.-Mexico border during the peak of the Biden administration, when large groups of migrants crossed the border in quick succession, overwhelming local authorities and generating dramatic images that dominated political debate.
Relations between the Trump administration and Spain have been strained over defense spending, trade and foreign policy. Trump has repeatedly criticized Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's government for refusing to commit to NATO's target of spending 5 percent of GDP on defense.
The developments in Spain have drawn attention from Republican politicians and conservatives in the U.S., who have used the footage to reinforce longstanding arguments that Democratic immigration policies would weaken border enforcement.
Republican Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt shared footage from Ceuta on X, writing: "This is what Democrats did to America (and what they want to do again)."
Tech billionaire Elon Musk also commented on the situation in Spain, writing on X that "Spain's entire budget will be destroyed by illegal migrants" and arguing that offering benefits to migrants would create a "forcing function" for large-scale migration.
Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, wrote in a post on X, "It is civilizational suicide. The Left hates the West and is actively working to destroy it forever."
White House Deputy Chief of Staff for policy Stephen Miller also weighed in on the events in Ceuta, saying in a post on X that Democrats would repeat the immigration policies of the Biden administration if they returned to power. Miller wrote that Democrats "did this to America every single day for 4 years under Biden" and would do so again "if they are given any form of national power."
"Democrats will see your home trampled and stolen by invaders and they will rejoice," Miller wrote.
Texas Republican Representative Brandon Gill said on Fox News that Spanish authorities would have "a lot of work on their hands" and questioned how officials would locate the men who had arrived in the territory.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the scenes in Ceuta as evidence that "uncontrolled illegal immigration poses a concrete threat to the security of Europe's borders," saying Italy was prepared to take "extraordinary measures" to defend its borders and the safety of its citizens, including the possible suspension of the Schengen Area with Spain. [en.lasicilia.it]
Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani went a step further, backing the closure of the Schengen Area with Spain and arguing that the situation in Ceuta showed the dangers of irregular migration.
The argument reflects one of the Republican Party's strongest political themes in recent election cycles. Immigration and border security were widely viewed as advantages for Republicans during the 2024 election, when voter concerns about illegal immigration and record levels of migrant encounters at the southern border helped propel Donald Trump back to the White House.
But polling suggests the issue may not be providing Republicans with the same edge heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
A Fox News poll released in July found Democrats holding a narrow 50 percent to 49 percent advantage when voters were asked which party would do a better job on immigration. The result marked a significant shift from recent years, when Republicans generally maintained a clear lead on the issue.
Similarly, a Harvard CAPS/Harris poll released in February found 57 percent of voters said federal immigration enforcement agencies had gone too far, while 55 percent disapproved of how immigration laws were being enforced in U.S. cities. At the same time, majorities continued to support deporting immigrants convicted of serious crimes and cooperating with local authorities on enforcement efforts.
Polling also suggests Americans still broadly support stronger border controls. A May survey conducted for the Center for American Progress found 64 percent of voters said they were concerned about border security and 61 percent viewed illegal immigration as a major problem. Yet the same research found support for pairing tougher enforcement with expanded legal immigration pathways and broader immigration reforms.
Gallup polling released in July found 73 percent of Americans viewed immigration as a positive for the country, down from a record high in 2025 but still a...
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.