Thousands of migrants in Ceuta wait in limbo

But thousands who stayed behind, refusing to leave, are creating a humanitarian crisis in the Spanish exclave—and a growing headache for local residents.

The plan includes several measures to speed up the reception of unaccompanied minors, including a proposed royal decree establishing mandatory and solidarity-based reception by the autonomous communities, as well as family foster care.

The scene exemplified the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ceuta, where up to 10,000 migrants, including women and children, have remained in the city weeks after the initial border surge that saw more than 72,000 migrants pour into the small Spanish territory neighboring Morocco.

Many have spent the past three weeks sleeping on the streets or on the beach, with NGOs warning that women and girls are particularly vulnerable.