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Officials have made Nador uninhabitable for migrants in search of a better life

WHRO

Published November 17, 2022 at 4:31 PM EST

Ricci Shryock for NPR — TK EPISODE IS ABOUT THE HILL IN Nador, Morocco ... IS THIS THE SAME HILL? IF NOT, I CAN USE ONE OF THOSE, THIS IS JUST NICER WITH THE VISIBLE BORDERMelilla, Spain (October 13, 2022) - A fence runs all around the land border that Melilla, Spain shares with Morocco.

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Some people spend years trying to get to Nador, Morocco — a city in the northeast of the country, bordering the Spanish enclave city of Melilla.

It is Europe's southernmost border, and also a gateway for migrants in search of better opportunities.

Border guards line a four-tiered, 20-foot fence that stretches miles along the border. Just beyond are the hills of Nador, where the migrants live. They wait there for weeks, sometimes months, for the safest time to jump over the fence.

The view into Spain from Mount Gourougou, Morocco on October 12. Men and women attempting to cross the border from Morocco into Spain often spend days and sometimes weeks hiding from authorities on the mountain before they take their chance.

Officials have made the city of Nador uninhabitable for migrants, who are mostly Black. Shopkeepers have been pressured to not sell them goods, hotel owners who have succumbed to pressure from Moroccan police don't rent them rooms.

Police tactics gained renewed criticism after dozens of people were killed trying to jump the fence in June.

Migrating people and their allies describe detestable and racist treatment from Moroccan police. They also speak of their dreams of crossing the border and finding jobs to support their families.

Listen to our full report by clicking or tapping the play button above.