The Migration Crisis and Its Political Ramifications
The ongoing migration crisis in Ceuta has reverberated far beyond the Spanish-Moroccan border, extending into the strategic corridors of power in Washington, D.C. As tens of thousands of individuals streamed into Spanish territory from Morocco, the Trump administration refrained from placing blame on Rabat, instead opting to direct its ire toward the government of Pedro Sánchez. This shift was not coincidental; Morocco has invested millions over the years to position itself as a critical ally to Republicans on issues of immigration, terrorism, Israel, and regional security. The U.S. response was unequivocal, with the State Department asserting that the influx was a "direct result of the deliberate efforts of the Spanish government to facilitate massive illegal immigration into Europe." Donald Trump condemned the harrowing images from Ceuta, using them as a cautionary tale about what he predicted would happen in the United States if Democrats regained power. By the following Tuesday, the Spanish government reported that nearly 70,000 of the approximately 72,000 migrants who had crossed the border had already returned to Morocco.
Morocco's Lobbying Efforts vs. Spain's Diplomatic Approach
The disparity in influence between Morocco and Spain is striking. While Morocco has established a robust network of lobbying firms, consultants, and lucrative contracts, Madrid has not mounted a comparable campaign to advocate for its interests in front of the Trump administration and Congress. Spain's engagement has largely been confined to conventional diplomacy through its embassy, characterized by a subtle political presence and limited capacity for dialogue. Over the years, Morocco has skillfully cultivated relationships and articulated its position in Washington, leaving Spain with little room to maneuver. Since January 2025, when Trump returned to power, the Moroccan government and its embassy have reported payments and signed contracts in Washington worth at least two million dollars. According to documents reviewed by ABC, $940,000 corresponds to declared payments, while the remaining $1.2 million represents the anticipated value of two contracts.
One of the primary beneficiaries of these funds is ThirdCircle, a public relations and strategic consultancy firm. Their filings with the Department of Justice reveal three payments from Morocco totaling $100,000 between January and April 2025, with additional payments in November and December amounting to $840,000. Thus, the total received from January 2025 has reached $940,000. ThirdCircle's services extend beyond mere tourism promotion; they have been instrumental in fostering long-term political relationships within various levels of the Trump administration. The firm has maintained ties with Morocco since at least April 2018, when it signed an initial $40,000 monthly contract with the embassy. Their founder, Richard Smotkin, facilitated connections between the Moroccan ambassador and Scott Pruitt, then the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, and played a role in organizing a controversial official visit to Rabat.
Moreover, the contracting of Scribe Strategies & Advisors by the Moroccan Foreign Ministry on July 28, 2025, underscores a strategic commitment to bolstering U.S.-Morocco relations. This agreement encompasses an initial six-month term with automatic renewals, demanding a monthly payment of $75,000 for the first three months and $60,000 for the subsequent three. The contract stipulates an advance payment of $150,000 for the initial two months, bringing the minimum value for the initial period to $405,000. Scribe's responsibilities include governmental representation and strategic advisement, focusing on promoting Moroccan priorities, analyzing public policies, and engaging with congressional members and officials.
Additionally, the Moroccan embassy expanded this lobbying effort in March 2026 by hiring Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, a renowned lobbying firm in Washington with influential clients. This contract entails a monthly fee of $65,000 for a year, totaling $780,000, to provide governmental relations and public affairs services before federal institutions. Notably, Brownstein has initiated contact with Republican Senator Ted Cruz's office regarding an initiative connected to the Polisario Front, reflecting one of Morocco's priorities: to consolidate its narrative on Western Sahara and diminish political support for the independence movement.
This initiative is particularly significant as Cruz has backed efforts aligning with Morocco's goals in Washington, specifically the isolation of the Polisario Front and its potential designation as a terrorist organization. Although the proposal did not progress to a vote or discussion in Congress, it highlights the extent to which Morocco's arguments have found traction among influential Republican lawmakers. Another firm, Yorktown Solutions, has similarly registered a relationship with the Moroccan embassy to offer governmental and public affairs services, dedicated to promoting bilateral relations and maintaining contacts with policymakers, media representatives, and the private sector. However, available declarations do not sufficiently confirm the current fee or total amount billed for 2025 and 2026, suggesting that Morocco's financial outlay may exceed the two million dollars reported.
The results of these lobbying efforts have become increasingly evident in political outcomes. A budget report approved by the House Appropriations Committee indicated that the Republican majority recognized Ceuta and Melilla as Spanish-administered cities located in "Moroccan territory," advocating for the State Department to facilitate discussions between Spain and Morocco regarding their future status. Although this document does not constitute law nor alters the legal standing of the United States, it marks the first instance in an official congressional report where the language aligns with Morocco's territorial aspirations.
Furthermore, the relationship has been bolstered from the U.S. executive branch. In a statement coinciding with Morocco's Throne Day, Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the cooperation between the two nations and reaffirmed U.S. support for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara. This backing, initiated by Trump in December 2020, has become central to an alliance that Morocco touts in Washington as crucial for its regional security.
As reported by abc.es.
