In her address to the European Parliament on Wednesday, September 16, in Strasbourg, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of securing the European Union’s external borders. Speaking during her State of the Union speech, von der Leyen called for stronger border controls, though specific details about the proposed measures were not provided. Her remarks came amid rising tensions over the situation in Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the northern coast of Africa that has become a focal point in the EU's migration challenges. Von der Leyen highlighted what she described as progress in managing migration flows, stating that the EU is “on the right track.” She pointed to a 55% decrease in illegal arrivals over the past two years and projected a 35% reduction for 2026. These figures reflect efforts to curb unauthorized entry through various border control and cooperation initiatives with non-EU countries. The European Union has been grappling with fluctuating migration numbers, particularly from North Africa, where many migrants attempt to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea. Ceuta has seen a surge in migrants seeking to cross into Spain, often leading to confrontations between local authorities and migrants. The situation has raised concerns about security, integration, and the effectiveness of current EU policies on migration. While von der Leyen’s comments signaled a continued focus on border security, the lack of specific policy details leaves questions about how the EU plans to achieve its stated goals. The Commission’s approach will likely be scrutinized by both member states and civil society as the debate over migration and border control remains a central issue in European politics.