Standing with the People of Ceuta Against Illegal Migration

That the Parliament stands with the people of Ceuta following the unprecedented mass illegal migration from Morocco; notes with grave concern that tens of thousands crossed the border in a matter of days, placing extraordinary pressure on a community with a population of around 85,000 and overwhelming local infrastructure and public services; believes that the people of Ceuta have the fundamental right to safety and security, to protect their borders and to the rule of law; further believes that no community should be expected to accommodate uncontrolled mass migration or have its public services placed under intolerable pressure as a consequence of failures of their government to secure national borders; condemns people smugglers and those who profit from facilitating illegal migration; believes that entering another country illegally should categorically not provide a route to permanent settlement and that the immediate return of those with no legal right to remain is essential to maintaining public confidence in the social contract between citizens and the state; supports the right of sovereign nations to take robust measures to defend their borders, and calls on the UK Government to learn the lessons of Ceuta by securing the UK's borders, deterring illegal crossings and dismantling people smuggling gangs.