Spain is trying to cope with a 70% increase in the number of illegal migrants attempting to enter the country last year.
Caught last year while attempting to get into Spain illegally were 12,549 people, up from just 7,472 in 2013.
Those attempting to access European territory through the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta (border wall pictured) and Melilla on the north African coast numbered in the thousands. There was a concomitant increase in the numbers who actually managed to enter the two outposts.
Of the 5,819 migrants stopped in Melilla, 2,861 had entered with forged ID papers, while just over 2,000 managed to scale the perimeter fencing.
Spain’s policy, enshrined in a new law, allows for “rejection at the border” from the Spanish enclaves. Civil guard officers push people back through the gates onto the Moroccan side of the fence.
None of these migrants are able to request asylum.
The Council of Europe has told Spain its new rules are unlawful.
In February 2014, Spanish civil guards were caught on film firing rubber bullets towards migrants swimming to Ceuta. During the attempt 14 drowned.
Those that made to shore were deported through a border gate.
