The United States State Department has blamed the Spanish Government for the mass entry of migrants into Ceuta, calling the crossings a serious violation of Spanish sovereignty and of human rights. The department said it stood with the people of Spain and with Europeans in general, drawing a distinction between Spanish citizens and their government. On August 1 the department raised its travel advisory for Ceuta to level three, telling Americans to reconsider travel. Spain’s interior ministry estimated that about 50,000 people entered Ceuta from July 30, most of whom returned to Morocco within days. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has demanded an immediate halt to the crossings and swift returns to Morocco.