Spanish Supreme Court rules against 'hot returns' for migrants arriving by sea in Ceuta and Melilla

The Spanish Supreme Court ruled that migrants intercepted at sea attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla cannot be immediately returned to Morocco. This decision clarifies that the 'rechazo en frontera' procedure only applies to those attempting to cross physical border barriers. Migrants arriving by sea are now subject to ordinary legal procedures, including individual assessment and the right to seek international protection.

Record

• Jurisdiction Spain
• Category Courts, Enforcement and Implementation
• Legal stage published
• Binding status court_interpretation
• Effective date 2023-07-08
• Source Poder Judicial España