By Beatriz Santos Mayo
Introduction
The Mediterranean European Union (EU) Member States have become transit countries for immigrants entering the EU’s territory, creating eight irregular border crossing routes. Spain is one of the member states affected by this migration flow from Western Africa, which streams through the sea, territorial border crossings, and now air routes.
As 2025 begins, Frontex reports reveal that many immigrants are arriving at Spain’s Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport in search of asylum. This indicates that Barajas leads all European airports in receiving irregular migrants. What drives this trend, and how does the Spanish government respond? To grasp this situation, we must examine Spain’s historical role as a destination and transit point for migration flows reaching its shores, borders, and, currently, airports.
Ceuta and Melilla – The Territorial Route
The Spanish territories of Ceuta and Melilla have been in the spotlight of the EU because they serve as the external borders of the Union in Africa. According to the Schengen Agreement, Moroccan workers were allowed to enter Spain to carry out their daily work activities. However, there was a concern that non-Moroccans could exploit this access to enter Spain and, consequently, the EU. In 1993, the EU funded the construction of a double fence surrounding the borders of Melilla and Ceuta with Morocco. The so-called asaltos a la valla, which refers to massive irregular crossings of migrants climbing the fence from Morocco to Spain (Ceuta or Melilla), became a daily occurrence. These migrants are either deported to their country of origin or transported to the peninsula until a solution is reached.
This year marked the 10th anniversary of the massive asalatos a la valla in Melilla in August. The event lasted 16 hours and made history by reaching the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Initially, the ECHR found that Spain had violated the European Convention on Human Rights by deporting migrants without proper identification or due process. However, after Spain appealed, the ECHR ruled in 2020 that the migrants had not utilized legal avenues to seek asylum and stated: They placed themselves in this situation of illegality.
This decision faced criticism. NGOs like ACNUR criticised the ruling for not adhering to international norms against collective expulsions and for overlooking the principle of non-refoulement, which is vital for refugee protection as established by the 1951 Geneva Convention. Furthermore, this organisation contested the legality of the changes made to Spain’s Citizen Security Law. The Law established a legal framework that permits the immediate expulsion of migrants who crossed the fences in Melilla and Ceuta. It aims to prevent them from seeking asylum or having their individual circumstances assessed. Moreover, the law curtailed spontaneous protests, restricted the documentation of police activity, amplified police discretion in issuing fines for perceived disrespect, and reclassified certain offenses from criminal to administrative proceedings.
Canary Islands – The Sea Route
Due to their proximity to the North African coast, the Canary Islands serve as an important point of reception for migration flows from the Western African Route. In 2024 alone, the Spanish Islands received over 45,000 arrivals. This results from the strengthening of migration control in the central Mediterranean. Italian officials have noted that the focus has shifted from Lampedusa to Spain’s Canary Islands.
Despite calls for support and coordination, the Spanish government has faced criticism for its lack of action. Fernando Clavijo, President of the Canary Islands, has labeled the situation as un drama humano (a human tragedy) and urged Brussels and Madrid to implement structural solutions. Additionally, Clavijo has stressed the importance of engaging with international organisations such as UNHCR and UNICEF to safeguard migrants’ rights and promote burden-sharing across Spanish autonomous communities.
There is a clear absence of a unified European response, which highlights the tensions between national security priorities and humanitarian obligations in the EU. As a result, the Spanish islands bear a disproportionate burden.
Aeropuerto Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas – The Air Route
The Spanish airport Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas has become a hotspot for irregular migration, with migration mafias exploiting the system. Referred to as aviones patera (flight boats), this is the current technique of using flights with layovers in Madrid to facilitate the irregular entry of migrants, primarily from sub-Saharan Africa and Morocco. These individuals board flights destined for countries that do not require visas, only to destroy their passports and abandon their journey in Madrid, where they seek asylum.
This has been ongoing since the start of 2024. NGOs, such as the Red Cross, have temporarily withdrawn from assisting at the airport due to overcrowding and poor conditions. There are hundreds of migrants living in unsanitary conditions in the designated rooms at the airport. This situation is worsening as more immigrants are arriving due to the lack of personnel and the slow processing of asylum claims. Calls have been made for the improvement of Barajas’ infrastructure to meet European standards, but further legislative action is required at both the Spanish and European levels.
Conclusion
The migration crisis poses a logistical challenge and a test of unity and values for the EU. The EU’s approach to irregular migration consists of a patchwork of policies that often prioritise deterrence and containment over human rights and dignity.
How can Spain and the EU collaborate to beat immediate crisis management and adopt a sustainable long-term strategy? The situation is complex, and addressing political solutions must follow confronting far-right rhetoric and institutional reluctance to tackle the root causes directly. However, the reality is different; the EU has relied on externalisation instead of addressing the roots of the migration routes. Labelling nations as safe third countries (STC) and safe countries of origin have provided the EU with a legal loophole, but the lack of international protection negatively impacts the EU’s credibility.
Reforming the EU’s refugee system, increasing spending for border management, and fostering diplomatic partnerships are all critical as the EU turns its attention to security autonomy. The EU needs to strike a balance between solidarity and security. Achieving a fair migration policy requires revising the asylum system, promoting cooperation among member states, and increasing funding for border security. The EU can enhance its reputation and create a long-term migration management plan by allocating responsibilities and offering equal protection to all refugees. The problem is significant, but a just and compassionate solution is possible with strong political will and collaboration. The question is not whether the EU should act, but whether it has the political will to do so.
About the author
Beatriz Santos Mayo is 21 years old and from Spain. She lives in Belgium and is pursuing a master’s degree in International Politics at KU Leuven. She holds a BA in European Studies from Maastricht University (the Netherlands). Her academic interests span several key areas of European politics, including migration, EU enlargement, and the role of institutions in the policy implementation process.
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