Spain to start Italy border controls on air and sea travel amid Ceuta migrant row

Spain will implement border controls on air and sea travelers from Italy starting Saturday midnight until September 7. This measure follows Italy's rejection of Spain's demand to lift its own border checks, which were imposed due to the Ceuta migration crisis. The Spanish government's decree, as reported by RTVE, states that travelers from Italy will undergo random checks at ports and airports. These checks aim to verify the identity and nationality of travelers, and for third-country nationals, their visa or residence permit.

Spain has threatened retaliation against Italy if it does not lift border controls implemented after a mass migrant crossing into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. Last week, approximately 78,000 migrants arrived in Ceuta from Morocco, with around 100 deaths reported. In response, Italy partially suspended its Schengen arrangement with Spain, closing entry points and reinforcing land borders. Spain deemed this move "unjustified" and "discriminatory," demanding its reversal by August 9th and warning of "proportionate measures" if Italy fails to comply. Italy stated its decision was to prevent migrants from Ceuta from traveling to Italy, as they do not share a land border.