The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on August 18 (local time) that while illegal border crossings into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta have subsided, thousands of undocumented migrants remain, posing a source of instability for the local community.

Juan Jesus Vivas, president of Ceuta, said, "Given that Ceuta's total population is 83,000, the figure of 5,000 remaining migrants is very large."

While about 70,000 migrants flooded into Ceuta three weeks ago and most returned within days, the number of those remaining is too large relative to Ceuta's scale, triggering a humanitarian crisis and increasingly becoming a major headache for local residents.

Temporary camps for these individuals are mushrooming across Ceuta.

The WSJ pointed out that "anger is growing among Ceuta residents," noting that "many residents criticize the government for not doing enough to end this situation, which is dangerous for both locals and migrants."

It added that while some local residents have tried to provide food and care to the migrants, "many residents no longer feel safe as young migrants wander the streets in groups."

One resident criticized to the WSJ, "I am not opposed to immigration itself, but this is out of control," adding, "Hospital emergency rooms are overloaded and residents are not receiving proper medical services."

This resident said they no longer go out alone when jogging due to safety concerns.

Saba Hamad, who collects donations for migrants, said, "Every morning I start my day stepping over dozens of young men lying outside my house wanting food or a shower," adding, "This city is sick."

Residents expressed particular concern that young women are being exposed to sexual crimes.

The Spanish government maintains that it is responding to the crisis in its own way.

Elma Saiz, Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, said that food and basic medical care are provided to 4,000 migrants daily through the Red Cross, and that 6.5 million euros in emergency funds have been allocated in cooperation with international organizations.

The WSJ reported that most of the migrants remaining in Ceuta are young Moroccan men who are experiencing extreme poverty in Ceuta but are willing to endure the hardship to gain an opportunity to enter Europe.

Migrants reportedly prefer to stay put in Ceuta rather than accept not being able to go to mainland Spain.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)