Spanish authorities have arrested members of an international smuggling ring suspected of bringing in hundreds of migrants into Europe through Madrid, the French news agency Agence France Presse (AFP) reported yesterday (February 15). 

Twelve individuals were arrested for smuggling Senegalese nationals into Madrid, where they are accused of falsely claiming asylum during layovers en route to other countries, usually in South America, which do not require entry visas. 

The suspects reportedly created a manual that outlined in detail how to request asylum in Spain by falsely claiming to be a minor from war-torn nations like Mali or Ethiopia. The gang instructed the migrants to fly to Casablanca in Morocco, and then buy a plane ticket to several destinations in South America with a layover in Madrid. 

'They tore up their passport inside the plane'

"Once they boarded in Casablanca with their original passport, they tore up their passport inside the plane," read a police statement. On arrival in Madrid, the migrants reportedly requested asylum and claimed to be minors to avoid immediate detention. An estimated 200 individuals entered Europe using this method. 

In response to the escalating asylum requests at Madrid airport, which saw 864 claims in January alone—higher than the total applications in 2022—the government implemented transit visa requirements for nationals from Senegal and Kenya. 

Madrid has also requested Morocco prevent Senegalese citizens without a Schengen visa from boarding flights with layovers in Spain until the transit visa requirement starts on February 19. 

Stranded 

Political and economic instability is driving people out of Senegal, prompting them to take a chance on finding a better life in Europe. Recent clashes and political violence are further adding to the increase in irregular arrivals in countries like Spain which serve as Europe’s frontline borders. 

Also read: Senegal: Is political crisis pushing more migrants to depart? 

The increase in asylum seekers at Madrid's Barajas airport began last year. The number of arrivals could not keep pace with wait and processing times for entry decisions, which typically take 10-20 days. The shortage of interpreters further aggravated the crisis. 

According to the Spanish Commission for Refugees (CEAR), most of the stranded migrants were reportedly from African nations like Senegal, Mali, Equatorial Guinea, and Morocco, with some originating from Colombia and Venezuela. 

Last month, Reuters reported that the number of migrants stranded in the airport reached 400 with CEAR spokesperson Elena Muñoz saying that "more and more arrive every day." 

Continuous arrivals have overwhelmed airport authorities, bringing scarce resources to a breaking point. Asylum seekers were forced to share bug-ridden mattresses on the floor crawling with cockroaches. The CEAR denounced the living conditions for the migrants, calling it "inhumane."

Also read: Hundreds of asylum seekers stranded at Madrid airport 

Gateway to Europe 

The crisis escalated to the point where the Red Cross had to halt its services at the airport, including a crucial phone call for asylum applicants upon arrival.  "There comes a time when there is no point in continuing if we cannot care for these people as they deserve," Jose Sanchez of the Red Cross told the media earlier this month. 

Also read: Spain urges Morocco to stop Senegalese migrants without Schengen visa from traveling 

Spain, serving as a primary gateway for immigration into Europe, witnessed a significant increase in undocumented migrant arrivals in 2023, with 56,852 individuals—an 82.1% increase from 2022. The rise was primarily attributed to a record number of arrivals in the Canary Islands.