On the 7th, the Spanish government announced that it will temporarily reinstate border checks for travelers arriving from Italy, which is also within the Schengen area, in response to Italy's refusal to lift similar measures against travelers from Spain.
The Spanish government issued a statement saying that from August 8th to September 7th, Spain will implement border checks at airports and ports for travelers coming from Italy.
The statement noted that this move complies with the Schengen Borders Code and is a "proportionate and necessary" reciprocal response, aiming to protect the rights of Spanish citizens and the normal operation of the Schengen Area.
Earlier the same day, the Spanish government issued a statement pointing out that the Italian government, without prior notice, unilaterally reinstated border checks for travelers from Spain on August 1st. The statement called these measures "unjust, discriminatory, not in line with the interests of the European Union," and in violation of the Schengen Borders Code. The Spanish government requested that Italy lift the related measures.
Due to a large number of illegal immigrants entering Ceuta from Morocco, Italian Prime Minister Meloni announced on the night of July 31st that the Italian government decided to suspend the Schengen free movement mechanism with Spain and reinstate border checks. In response, the Spanish government stated that people who recently entered the Spanish exclave Ceuta illegally cannot freely enter the Schengen Area, because Ceuta has a special regime and those going to mainland Spain still have to undergo police checks. At present, almost all illegal immigrants entering Ceuta have already returned to Morocco.
Ceuta is located on the northwest coast of Africa, on the Mediterranean coast near the Strait of Gibraltar, bordering Morocco. Recently, a large number of illegal immigrants entered Ceuta from Morocco, triggering the most serious border immigration crisis Spain has faced in recent years.