A recent surge of tens of thousands of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, located on the North African coast, has reignited debates across Europe about immigration policy and border control. The chaotic influx, which occurred earlier this week, evoked memories of the 2015 migrant crisis, when over a million people, primarily from the Middle East, arrived in southern Europe, significantly influencing political trends and fueling the rise of far-right movements throughout the continent.

Unlike in 2015, when far-right parties were largely on the political margins, those groups now either hold power or are poised to do so. This shift has prompted centrist leaders across Europe to adopt tougher stances on immigration to counter the growing influence of nationalist rhetoric. Experts note that fear of losing political ground to right-wing parties has pressured mainstream politicians to emphasize stringent border controls and stricter asylum policies.

European leaders quickly condemned the sudden surge in Ceuta. Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, representing a social democratic government with strict asylum laws, called for discussions on potentially suspending Spain from the Schengen Area, which allows passport-free travel among 29 countries. Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a right-wing figurehead focused on limiting immigration, described the influx as a concrete threat posed by uncontrolled illegal migration. Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz also urged Morocco to immediately repatriate irregular migrants, marking a departure from the more welcoming approach characterized by former Chancellor Angela Merkel during the 2015 crisis.

The reactions reflect a broader trend across Europe toward hardened immigration policies. Once-generous countries like Sweden have introduced more restrictive asylum regulations, and maritime migration has fallen dramatically. Despite the reduction in overall migration numbers last year in countries such as Britain, Germany, and Spain, the visibility of sudden border crossings continues to influence public sentiment and political discourse, often benefiting populist and far-right parties.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stands out among European centrist and left-leaning leaders for maintaining a comparatively open stance toward immigration. His government allowed over a million undocumented migrants to apply for formal status earlier this year. In response to criticism linking Spain’s policies to the Ceuta incident, Sánchez argued that migration remains manageable and emphasized that most migrants who crossed into Ceuta returned to Morocco within days. He highlighted that irregular entries into the European Union have been more significant through routes in Italy, the Western Balkans, and Greece than via Spain in recent years.

The political ramifications of migration policy remain profound. In France, Marine Le Pen of the National Rally has seized on the Ceuta crisis to press for tighter border controls, criticizing Sánchez’s immigration approach. Similarly, Jordan Bardella, her party’s deputy, condemned Spain’s regularization policies as inviting danger to Europe. In Britain, Reform U.K. leader Nigel Farage warned that migrants entering Ceuta could attempt to reach the UK via northern France, a rhetoric that contributed to political pressure on former Labour leader Keir Starmer. Starmer, who resigned last month, was criticized for inadequately addressing immigration concerns despite enforcing tougher policies during his leadership.

Overall, while the number of migrants reaching Europe has decreased since 2015, recent episodes demonstrate how migration remains a politically volatile issue. Leaders across the continent continue to navigate tensions between security concerns, humanitarian responsibilities, and rising populism amid ongoing challenges at Europe’s borders.