With great caution to avoid any misstep, as was the publication in the Official State Gazette (BOE) of the list of Ceuta sports centers that could be transformed into reception centers, the Government is moving forward to remove all immigrants who continue to spend the night on the streets a month after the border assault. In the ministries involved in managing the crisis, they perceive that the population has given a truce – largely due to the fear that their legitimate protest might be linked to ultra-violence – so the plan has been accelerated before any spark can once again bring Ceuta to the brink of social unrest. The strategy, which remains firm, involves enabling up to 6,000 beds in various locations around the city, so the transfer of adults to the Peninsula is ruled out at this stage. With it, according to those convinced in Moncloa, three priorities would be achieved: providing a humanitarian response, reducing neighborhood discontent, and speeding up the return processes. It remains to be seen if the time to complete the plan matches the patience of Ceuta. And of the immigrants.

Italy decided yesterday to extend border controls for another 15 days on passengers arriving by plane and ship from Spain. The temporary suspension of Schengen between the two countries, introduced on August 1 due to the Ceuta migration crisis, was set to expire this Monday, August 31, but Giorgia Meloni’s government ultimately chose to maintain the measure until September 15. The initial intention of the Executive was to extend the controls for another month, but a two-week extension was finally chosen for technical reasons.