HM Government of Gibraltar Expresses Solidarity with Ceuta and Confirms Robust Immigration Enforcement

HM Government of Gibraltar is following with deep concern the grave humanitarian emergency unfolding in Ceuta following the unprecedented arrival of tens of thousands of people into the city.

Our thoughts are also with the Spanish emergency services, law enforcement agencies, humanitarian organisations and European authorities working under immense pressure to protect life, restore order and provide assistance to those affected.

The Government is maintaining close contact with the relevant authorities and wishes to reassure the people of Gibraltar that, while any consequences for Gibraltar are extremely unlikely, all necessary precautions are being taken.

A person who has entered Spain or the wider Schengen area irregularly does not acquire any right as a consequence to enter Gibraltar, seek employment here or establish residence in Gibraltar. Gibraltar’s immigration, employment and residence laws continue to apply in full.

The Royal Gibraltar Police, the Borders and Coastguard Agency and other relevant authorities are already operating with heightened vigilance following the implementation of the Treaty and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Where there are reasonable grounds to believe that a person already in Gibraltar has entered unlawfully or has no lawful basis to remain, the authorities will take the appropriate action under Gibraltar law. This may include detention, removal or return to the frontier, subject in every case to the applicable legal procedures and the individual circumstances concerned.

The Government stresses that there is presently no reason for alarm in Gibraltar. Our law enforcement and border agencies remain alert, coordinated and prepared to respond to any unlikely consequences arising from this emergency.