Statements by Ramón Caudevilla, the former head of immigration management in the Spanish-occupied enclave of Ceuta (Sebta), have ignited debate over the handling of unaccompanied minors and irregular migration.
Caudevilla, who led the department for 32 years until his retirement in January at age 65, shared his views in an interview with the Spanish newspaper El Mundo.
Drawing on decades of experience managing migration issues in Ceuta, Caudevilla argued that Spain’s system creates incentives for irregular migration and subsequent family reunification.
He recalled a 2003 discussion with a Moroccan counterpart in which the official noted that unaccompanied minors are treated differently from adults: they are not returned in the same manner, and upon reaching 18 in Spain they can obtain legal status, work permits, and then apply for family reunification.
Caudevilla went further, describing unaccompanied minors are considered by some parents as “the best investment for Morocco.”
He claimed that around 90% are sent by their families rather than being street children, and that regularizing a minor’s status can open the door for other relatives to join them in Spain, a dynamic he said also applies to adults who secure legal residency.
His criticism extended beyond minors to the asylum system in Ceuta. Caudevilla said the Spanish government provided insufficient support during his tenure and that some migrants crossing the border are encouraged to file international protection claims.
He contrasted the 2021 migration surge, when many Moroccans reportedly avoided asylum applications knowing they would fail, with the current situation, in which more appear willing to pursue that path.
He noted that asylum requests are reviewed by an inter-ministerial committee that meets only every 40 days, lengthening processing times.
After 31 days, applicants can move to mainland Spain, making monitoring and potential deportation more difficult. Caudevilla characterized the overall framework as “a trick sponsored by the government to facilitate illegal immigration,” accusing authorities of understanding how the system operates yet failing to reform it.
The remarks come amid renewed Spanish debate over irregular migration, particularly the sensitive issue of unaccompanied minors, which remains a flashpoint in relations between Spain and southern Mediterranean countries, including Morocco.
Morocco urged Spain to return minors to their families. But, legal frameworks in Spain prohibit that. The EU has also urged Spain to return the minors to their homelands.
Instead, Spanish media reported that Spain prepares to send 500 minors to mainland Spain.
