The cities of Ceuta and Melilla are relevant in the international migratory context because:
they are the only two European territories on the African continent.
they are Moroccan cities located on the northern coast, very close to the southern coast of the Iberian Peninsula.
they are two Spanish cities in Moroccan territory where there are no fences separating them.
Europe began to try to control and close the border of Ceuta and Melilla, to prevent the entry of sub-Saharan Africans, initially with the application for visas and a few years later with the creation of fences. This occurred in the decade of:
the 1990s
the 1970s
the 1950s
Concertinas are metal blades on top of fences that cause serious injuries to migrants trying to cross them. Faced with this fact:
The Spanish government decided to remove the concertinas placed in 2007 so as not to cause injuries to migrants and has not used this method again.
The Spanish government has placed concertinas on the fences of Ceuta and Melilla on three occasions (2007, 2013 and 2018) to reinforce the border.
The Spanish government has decided on three occasions to remove the concertinas because it considers them inhumane but they have simply been moved to the fences located in Moroccan territory.
The Centre for the Temporary Stay of Immigrants (CETI) was built in Melilla in 1999 and in Ceuta in 2000 because of the sub-Saharan migration of the 1990s, mainly young single males. Most of the migrant in the CETI want:
continue to live in the cities of Ceuta and Melilla, as the final destination of their migratory route.
continue their journey to the peninsula, so the CETI becomes a waiting centre for them to be transferred.
live in a free place so as not to have to pay rent and food like the rest of the citizens.
The asylum application offices in the cities of Ceuta and Melilla are located at the border crossings, which prevents sub-Saharan Africans from approaching them to apply for asylum from the Moroccan side. Thus, it is only possible to apply for asylum once they have managed to cross the land or sea borders of Ceuta and Melilla irregularly. Once arrived at the CETI, those who want to apply for asylum:
apply for asylum and must remain in the cities of Ceuta and Melilla until the decision is made, which can sometimes take years
apply for asylum and obtain a permit to move around the whole country, including the mainland. The same permit you get if you apply for asylum in any other city on the peninsula.
apply for asylum and they are sent back to Morocco until their application is processed.