Government Finalizes Decree-Law to Accelerate Returns to Morocco, Heading to Sep 29 Council of Ministers

The Interior Ministry finalised a decree-law, to reach the Council of Ministers on Tuesday Sep 29 — 57 days after the Jul 30-31 mass crossing — that would cut administrative and judicial deadlines governing asylum applications filed in Ceuta since the crossing, allowing returns to Morocco to proceed even before an asylum claim is resolved. The government frames it as ordering processing timelines rather than suspending asylum rights; it will require congressional validation within 30 days. Coalition partner Sumar said it will not support expulsions of asylum applicants before their cases are resolved, calling the approach incompatible with international protection guarantees — a fresh flashpoint in PSOE-Sumar coalition tension over migration policy. Vox leader Santiago Abascal dismissed the decree as 'late and insufficient,' arguing it fails to address the underlying 'pull factor' and leaves the door open that Vox wants closed, while Socialist minister Óscar López said the government is working on 'all types of measures' to facilitate returns. Official figures cited in coverage put over 10,000 migrants still in Ceuta.