Melilla Officials Reject Proposal for New 800-Person Migrant Reception Center

# What happened Melilla's regional president, Juan José Imbroda, announced he will oppose the construction of a proposed Temporary Stay Center for Immigrants (CETI) with capacity for 800 people. He said the center was planned for a site in front of La Hipica beach and argued the city already has a CETI. Imbroda framed his opposition around concerns about repeating chaotic scenes seen in Ceuta and about Spain's national migration policy.

# Imbroda's objections in plain terms Imbroda made three concrete claims and demands:

• He rejects building a second CETI when one already exists in Melilla. He asked why the national government would accept everyone who enters without returning anyone to their country of origin.
• He described the central government's approach as erratic and lacking measures to speed removals. He called for legislative changes to accelerate deportation procedures and for increased human and technical resources for migration control.
• He raised the treatment of unaccompanied foreign minors: he said they should be protected but returned to family when appropriate, and that mechanisms should allow for that.

Imbroda warned that continuing current policies would require repeatedly creating more reception centers. He pledged to "fight wherever we have to fight" to block construction of the new facility.

# National government's response Sabrina Moh, the Spanish government delegate in Melilla, denied there is any plan to build another CETI. She stated the Interior Ministry has not announced a new temporary immigrant center and that no Defense Ministry land will be used for such infrastructure. Moh said the existing CETI meets requirements and suggested Imbroda was inventing or exaggerating the plan.

# How this fits the regional context

# What to watch next

• Whether the national government issues a formal planning document or announcement proving a new CETI is proposed. Right now the delegate says none exists.
• Any legal or administrative steps taken by Melilla's government to block construction, including appeals, litigation, or political maneuvers.

# Bottom line Melilla's leadership is publicly opposed to any new migrant reception center and is demanding faster returns and legal changes. The national government denies any new center is planned and has accused local leaders of politicizing the issue while pointing to municipal service failures as the real problem.