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This article was updated on Sunday, August 2, at 10:56 AM EST, with details on the State Department’s “reconsider travel” advisory for Ceuta.

The United States government issued a new “do not travel” warning to Americans in Spain on Friday as part of its travel advisory system. The U.S. Embassy in Spain and Andorra’s alert followed the influx of tens of thousands of migrants in a 24-hour period. On Saturday, the State Department then released an updated “reconsider travel” advisory for Spain.

Both warnings came after Ceuta, a Spanish North African autonomous city and territory of Spain, was swarmed by around 60,000 migrants, predominantly young men, who illegally crossed the border to the small enclave from Morocco, many of whom reportedly swam across. Hundreds more migrants attempted to break into Melilla, another small enclave and Spanish territory at North Africa’s tip, where they clashed with police.

U.S. Travel Warnings For Spain Following Migrant Influx

The U.S. Embassy in Spain and Andorra issued its “do not travel” warning for Americans in or heading to the region after thousands of migrants flooded Ceuta and Melilla, located on the northern coast of Africa, on Thursday, July 30. The Friday, July 31 travel alert urged Americans to avoid traveling to both locations.

The embassy said the sudden arrival of thousands of migrants could create “unpredictable and dangerous situations.”

“Do not travel to the affected areas at this time,” the embassy said. “The arrival of thousands of migrants from Morocco to Ceuta and hundreds to Melilla in the past 24 hours may lead to unpredictable and dangerous situations.”

It informed Americans that Spain has deployed the military, as well as the Spanish National Police and Guardia Civil, to contain Ceuta’s developing situation, which sits in the Strait of Gibraltar at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea.

Americans were also told that ferry services between Ceuta and mainland Spain have so far remained in service, but are reminded to monitor official updates for potential changes.

State Department’s August 1 Travel Advisory Update For Ceuta

The State Department, which oversees U.S. embassies and consulates, followed up the embassy’s warning with another updated “reconsider travel” advisory for Ceuta on Saturday, raising the threat to “Level 3.”

“Americans should reconsider travel to the area given the risks posed to their safety and security,” the State Department said on Saturday.

Spain’s overall travel advisory level remains at Level 2: “Exercise Increased Caution.”

Alongside advice not to travel to the two cities of Ceuta and Melilla, the embassy’s initial Friday warning advised Americans to stay away from demonstrations, comply with instructions from Spanish authorities, inform family and friends of their safety, and follow local media and government updates. It pointed to the El Faro de Ceuta newspaper’s X account, which called the incident “Morocco’s blackmail against Spain at the expense of Ceuta.”

President Trump’s Response To The Ceuta Migrant Incident

President Donald Trump criticized the border rush as a “catastrophe” and “invasion.”

“I saw Spain yesterday, and I watched the catastrophe that took place. It looks like an invasion of a country. […] Hundreds of thousands of people […]” President Trump told a cabinet meeting.

He also cited the ordeal in Ceuta as a reason for the U.S. to protect its borders. “And that same thing’s going to happen to us if the Republicans don’t get elected, except worse, much bigger, much easier to get into,” President Trump told a cabinet meeting.

Senior U.S. officials echoed the president’s remarks, notably the State Department, which blamed Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s socialist administration.

When visiting Ceuta on Friday, Sánchez condemned the border breach, describing it as “a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity.” He also blamed human smugglers for the crisis, saying that the criminals”deceive so many young people and ultimately lead many of them to their deaths.”

Only days prior to its travel advisory issuance, the State Department apologized after mislabeling every African country on a map shown at the AIDS 2026 Conference. A spokesperson told TheTravel that “This was an unfortunate error caused by a team member who hastily altered the slide deck immediately before the presentation.”

Meanwhile, the border swarming has caused division in Europe; EU state leaders called for Spain to contain the incident, with Italy and France having pledged to tighten their border controls on travelers arriving from Spain.

On Friday, Italy’s government suspended its border-free Schengen travel agreements with Spain, meaning Americans traveling from Spain to Italy could face additional checks. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni cited “uncontrolled illegal immigration” following the decision. Madrid called the move “selfish” and a violation of EU treaties.

Death Toll Rises After Thousands Voluntarily Return

Around 48,300 of the estimated 60,000 migrants had voluntarily returned to Morocco by Friday evening local time, according to Spain’s Interior Ministry. The Spanish government’s representative in Ceuta said 57 bodies had been recovered on Spain’s side of the border. They said there could be further casualties on the Moroccan side. As of Saturday morning local time, the death toll has risen to 77, The Independent reported. That rose into the eighties by the evening.

The representative confirmed that some had drowned, while others were crushed while trying to climb the breakwater, which holds the border fence. Moroccan authorities had attempted to beat back the crowds with batons and tear gas at the border gates to Ceuta to prevent more migrants from entering the tiny Spanish territory.

Rachid Sbihi, who leads a local workers association representing Civil Guard officers, said the situation is a “serious humanitarian crisis,” the Associated Press said. He said thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied minors, were left sleeping on sidewalks and in parks, as others aimlessly loitered in the streets.

Ceuta And Melilla’s Illegal Migration Issues

Ceuta and Melilla are two autonomous cities on the northern coast of Africa. Melilla is a larger territory, around 250 miles east of Ceuta. They share the European Union’s (EU) only land borders with Africa. Although geographically situated on the African continent and bordering Morocco, they are part of Spain and, therefore, the EU.

The two enclaves have long been at the center of irregular migration into Europe. Migrants from across North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, and conflict-affected regions often try to travel to the Spanish territories in the hope of reaching mainland Spain and other parts of Europe.

Ceuta, in particular, has experienced repeated instances of mass migration over the years. Being separated from Morocco by land fences and border controls, some migrants attempt to swim around its coastal breakwaters or use inflatable boats to enter illegally.

A major incident took place in May 2021; around 10,000 migrants, including many children, entered Ceuta illegally within two days after Moroccan border controls abruptly eased during a diplomatic dispute between the two countries’ capitals, Madrid and Rabat. Many managed to reach the enclave by wading through shallow waters at low tide and swimming around border barriers.

Despite successful crossings by many migrants, the route is hazardous; rough seas, strong currents, and cold water have led to a number of deaths by drowning over the years. Both Spanish and Moroccan rescue services undertake search-and-rescue operations for crossing migrants. Spanish authorities have also reinforced coastline surveillance to intercept and prevent migrants from embarking on the dangerous journey.

Irregular Migration Into Europe And Fatality Numbers

The influx came as EU states continue to struggle with migration across Mediterranean and Atlantic routes. Spain is one of the primary entry points for migrants seeking access to the European Union, as well as the United Kingdom. Many migrants perish on their journeys, according to irregular migration and fatality figures from the European Council.

Note: Figures for the Western route exclude arrivals in Ceuta on 17 and 18 May 2021, when the Moroccan border lapse led to an abnormal surge in arrivals.