Spain Imposes Border Controls On Italy

Spain will begin enforcing border checks on travellers arriving from Italy at midnight, escalating tensions between the two European Union countries following the recent migrant surge into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

Italy introduced its own controls last week after about 78 thousand migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta. Madrid has demanded that Rome lift the restrictions, but Italy says the measures will remain in place until at least August 15, citing concerns about a possible new wave of migration.

Spain has rejected claims that another mass crossing is expected, saying officials are monitoring the situation but do not anticipate a repeat of last week’s events.

The migrant surge has strained relations between Spain and Morocco, while also sparking disagreement among European Union members over how to manage the crisis.