No papers, but migrant "absolutely does not want to go back"

2026-08-01

A 25-year-old Moroccan migrant who reached the Spanish enclave of Ceuta says he has no intention of giving up on his dream of building a better future and can imagine living and working in Germany.

The young man was among the thousands of migrants who crossed into Ceuta during the recent border surge, hoping to enter Europe. Like many others, he said the lack of job opportunities and difficult living conditions in Morocco pushed him to leave in search of a better life. Despite the hardships he has already faced, he remains determined to continue his journey.

Speaking about his future plans, the 25-year-old said Germany is one of the countries where he could see himself working. He believes it offers greater employment opportunities and hopes to earn enough money to support himself and help his family back home. For him, reaching Ceuta was not the final destination but only the first step toward achieving that goal.

His story reflects the motivations of many young Moroccans who joined the recent mass migration to Ceuta. High unemployment, economic uncertainty, and widespread social media rumors that suggested Europe had become easier to reach encouraged thousands to attempt the dangerous crossing. However, many quickly discovered that conditions in Ceuta were extremely difficult, with limited food, shelter, and no immediate route to mainland Europe.

Spanish authorities, supported by Morocco, have rapidly returned many migrants following the border crisis, while reinforcing security around Ceuta. Even so, some migrants continue to hope they will eventually reach other European countries, including Germany, believing they can build a more stable future despite the growing political and legal challenges surrounding migration.