In recent reports from different councils within the Department of National Security, it has been pointed out that irregular immigration can also be used against states. The new National Maritime Security Strategy, for the first time, highlights the risk of “state or non-state actors” using “uncontrolled waves of irregular immigration” by sea as part of “hybrid strategies” to exploit vulnerabilities in Spain. In 2023, 56,852 people arrived in Spain outside of designated border crossings, the second highest number after 2018, with the vast majority, 99.2%, arriving by sea. Spain is the second European country with the most irregular entries after Italy, and saw a significant increase in this type of immigration last year. The new strategy, which replaced the 2013 version, emphasizes the threats posed to Spain’s National Security by its proximity to Africa and the Strait of Gibraltar.
Other reports released on the same date by National Security Council also highlighted the risk of irregular migration for Spain, with a focus on terrorism. The National Strategy against Terrorism pointed out that the conflict in the Gaza Strip poses a direct and real risk of increased terrorist threats. The multidimensional crisis in the Sahel region was also identified as affecting Spain’s national interests, especially in terms of terrorism and irregular migration flows. The report suggested improving migration control systems to prevent potential terrorist elements from taking advantage of the increase in irregular migration. The concerns raised in these reports were supported by police investigations, such as the arrest of an Algerian man in Mallorca suspected of leading a human trafficking organization linked to terrorist activities.
The Annual National Security Report for 2023 listed migration as one of the top five threats to Spain, with a very high intensity rating. The report highlighted that pressure for migration mainly came from Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, and unidentified sub-Saharan individuals, creating security challenges that need to be managed. The report emphasized the need for cooperation with key origin and transit countries to control these flows and recognized Spain’s efforts in this regard. These reports were the first issued by National Security since the 2021 crisis in Ceuta, where irregular migrants, including minors, entered Spanish territory, leading to a diplomatic crisis between Morocco and Spain.
Following the Ceuta crisis, the National Intelligence Center (CNI) produced a report linking the mass entry of irregular migrants to Morocco’s aggressive tactics in influencing Spain’s position on the Western Sahara issue. The report detailed instructions given by Moroccan authorities to relax coastal surveillance and facilitate the transportation of migrants to Ceuta, contributing to the influx of migrants. The disappearance of Moroccan police presence at border crossings further facilitated the entry of migrants into Ceuta. These events underscore the impact of regional dynamics on migration and national security, highlighting the need for enhanced cooperation and strategic planning in addressing irregular migration and related security risks.
