22 EU Leaders Attack Spain's Immigration Policy, Signal Readiness for Schengen Border Checks

The letter represents a significant escalation in the diplomatic rift between Madrid and its European neighbors. The signatories, led by prominent figures such as Merz and Meloni, are calling for tighter EU coordination and the cancellation of Spain's proposed plan to grant citizenship to as many as 1.2 million migrants. The leaders argued that such initiatives create a "pull factor" that encourages illegal migration and undermines the collective security of the bloc.

Security Concerns in Ceuta

The criticism centers on the ongoing crisis in Ceuta, where massive breaches of the border with Morocco have occurred. According to reports from Asaf Rozentzweig (N12), the 22 leaders warned against creating any impression that illegal entry into the EU can eventually lead to legal residency. This follows a period of intense pressure on the enclave; as The Zioneer reported earlier, Ceuta saw an influx of tens of thousands of migrants in late July, which overwhelmed local infrastructure and led to civil unrest.

Schengen Integrity and the Outlook

The most striking element of the letter is the explicit mention of readiness to consider temporary border checks within the Schengen area. This move would effectively pause the principle of free movement between member states to address the perceived failure of external border management. While Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has previously described the migrant infiltration as an attack on national sovereignty, his European counterparts are now signaling that Spain's domestic policy responses are insufficient to guarantee the integrity of the wider European community. The situation remains developing as the EU weighs the balance between national humanitarian policies and collective border security.