Italy, Spain Extend Tit-for-Tat Border Curbs After Ceuta Illegal Immigrant Crisis

Italy's minister of the interior said that the decision to suspend open-border arrangements with Spain for another 15 days 'was necessary.'

Italy, Spain Extend Tit-for-Tat Border Curbs After Ceuta Illegal Immigrant Crisis

TL;DR

  • Italy and Spain have suspended open-border travel arrangements for 15 days.
  • The dispute follows an unprecedented surge of young men crossing from Morocco into the Spanish territory of Ceuta.
  • Italy's government initially imposed restrictions to prevent illegal immigrants from Ceuta from traveling to Italy.
  • Spain has reciprocated by extending its passenger checks on arrivals from Italy by air and sea.