Italy suspends Schengen travel with Spain due to migrant crisis in Ceuta

The Italian Ministry of the Interior on Friday ordered the closure of the sea and air borders with Spain following senior Italian politicians, including the prime minister Giorgia Meloni, calling for Spain’s suspension from Europe’s Schengen zone following thousands of migrants crossing into the Spanish city of Ceuta from Morocco.

Italian news outlet ansa.it reported the decision was taken after the Committee on Immigration and Border Security analyzed “recent information,” and following a telephone conversation between Minister Piantedosi and his French counterpart, Laurent Nuñez.

As images of thousands entering the Spanish territory on the coast of Morocco spread on social media, anti-migration campaigners and politicians reacted with fury.

“The images coming from Ceuta are shocking and demonstrate, once again, that uncontrolled illegal immigration poses a real threat to the security of Europe’s borders,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote on X.

“We are prepared to take action — including through extraordinary measures — to defend our borders and ensure citizens’ safety,” she added.

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