Apr 3, 2014

With NPR putting some finishing touches on its borderland series this week, international attention has been focused across the Atlantic, on a place that’s equally familiar with the perils of international migration.

: Guardia Civil Officers watch African migrants attempt to scale the fence at the border between Morocco and the North African Spanish enclave of Melilla, on April 3, 2014, in Melilla, Spain. Roughly 70 sub-Saharan migrants tried to climb the fence into Melilla this morning; one had to be treated by paramedics. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave on the north coast of Africa sharing a border with Morocco. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

: African migrants attempt to scale the fence at the border between Morocco and the North African Spanish enclave of Melilla, on April 3, 2014, in Melilla, Spain. Roughly 70 sub-Saharan migrants tried to climb the fence into Melilla this morning; one had to be treated by paramedics. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave on the north coast of Africa sharing a border with Morocco. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

: African migrants attempt to scale the fence at the border between Morocco and the North African Spanish enclave of Melilla, on April 3, 2014, in Melilla, Spain. Roughly 70 sub-Saharan migrants tried to climb the fence into Melilla this morning; one had to be treated by paramedics. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave on the north coast of Africa sharing a border with Morocco. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

: The Helicopter squad of the Guardia Civil watch African migrants who attempt to scale the fence at the border between Morocco and the North African Spanish enclave of Melilla, on April 3, 2014, in Melilla, Spain. Roughly 70 sub-Saharan migrants tried to climb the fence into Melilla this morning, one had to be treated by paramedics. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave on the north coast of Africa sharing a border with Morocco. Almost one week ago some 800 sub-Saharan people made several attempts to reach Spain and according to official sources, ten of them managed to enter Spanish territory. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

: African migrants attempt to scale the fence at the border between Morocco and the North African Spanish enclave of Melilla, on April 3, 2014, in Melilla, Spain. Roughly 70 sub-Saharan migrants tried to climb the fence into Melilla this morning, one had to be treated by paramedics. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave on the north coast of Africa sharing a border with Morocco. Almost one week ago some 800 sub-Saharan people made several attempts to reach Spain and according to official sources, ten of them managed to enter Spanish territory. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

: African migrants are detained by Spanish police, after scaling the fence at the border between Morocco and the North African Spanish enclave of Melilla, on April 3, 2014, in Melilla, Spain. Roughly 70 sub-Saharan migrants tried to climb the fence into Melilla this morning, one had to be treated by paramedics. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave on the north coast of Africa sharing a border with Morocco. Almost one week ago some 800 sub-Saharan people made several attempts to reach Spain and according to official sources, ten of them managed to enter Spanish territory. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

: An African refugee kisses a woman as he leaves the Centre for Temporary Stay of Immigrants (CETI) on the north African Spanish enclave of Melilla, before making his way to the Ferry Terminal of Melilla where he is planning to board a cruise ship later in the night heading to Malaga on the Spanish mainland, on April 2, 2014, in Melilla, Spain. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave on the north coast of Africa sharing a border with Morocco. Almost one week ago some 800 sub-Saharan people made several attempts to reach Spain and according to official sources, ten of them managed to enter Spanish territory. The migrants hide just west of the city centre and try to cross the 7-meter high fence to Melilla and into the European Union in hope of a better life. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

: African refugees leave the Centre for Temporary Stay of Immigrants (CETI) on the north African Spanish enclave of Melilla, before making their way to the ferry terminal where they plan to board a cruise ship later in the night heading to Malaga on the Spanish mainland, on April 2, 2014, in Melilla, Spain. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave on the north coast of Africa sharing a border with Morocco. Almost one week ago some 800 sub-Saharan people made several attempts to reach Spain and according to official sources, ten of them managed to enter Spanish territory. The migrants hide just west of the city centre and try to cross the 7-meter high fence to Melilla and into the European Union in hope of a better life. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

: Migrants attempt to scale the fence at the border between Morocco and the North African Spanish enclave of Melilla. In order to get across the border, migrants must get over three layers of fencing. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

: MELILLA, SPAIN – APRIL 02: African refugees leave the Centre for Temporary Stay of Immigrants (CETI) on the north African Spanish enclave of Melilla, before making their way to the ferry terminal where they plan to board a cruise ship later in the night heading to Malaga on the Spanish mainland, on April 2, 2014, in Melilla, Spain. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave on the north coast of Africa sharing a border with Morocco. Almost one week ago some 800 sub-Saharan people made several attempts to reach Spain and according to official sources, ten of them managed to enter Spanish territory. The migrants hide just west of the city centre and try to cross the 7-meter high fence to Melilla and into the European Union in hope of a better life. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

: MELILLA, SPAIN – APRIL 02: African refugees leave the Centre for Temporary Stay of Immigrants (CETI) on the north African Spanish enclave of Melilla, before making their way to the ferry terminal where they plan to board a cruise ship later in the night heading to Malaga on the Spanish mainland, on April 2, 2014, in Melilla, Spain. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave on the north coast of Africa sharing a border with Morocco. Almost one week ago some 800 sub-Saharan people made several attempts to reach Spain and according to official sources, ten of them managed to enter Spanish territory. The migrants hide just west of the city centre and try to cross the 7-meter high fence to Melilla and into the European Union in hope of a better life. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

: MELILLA, SPAIN – APRIL 02: African refugees arrive at the ferry terminal on the north African Spanish enclave of Melilla, where they will later board a cruise ship heading to Malaga on the Spanish mainland, on April 2, 2014, in Melilla, Spain. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave on the north coast of Africa sharing a border with Morocco. Almost one week ago some 800 sub-Saharan people made several attempts to reach Spain and according to official sources, ten of them managed to enter Spanish territory. The migrants hide just west of the city centre and try to cross the 7-meter high fence to Melilla and into the European Union in hope of a better life. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

: MELILLA, SPAIN – APRIL 02: African refugees wait inside the ferry terminal on the north African Spanish enclave of Melilla, where they will later board a cruise ship heading to Malaga on the Spanish mainland, on April 2, 2014, in Melilla, Spain. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave on the north coast of Africa sharing a border with Morocco. Almost one week ago some 800 sub-Saharan people made several attempts to reach Spain and according to official sources, ten of them managed to enter Spanish territory. The migrants hide just west of the city centre and try to cross the 7-meter high fence to Melilla and into the European Union in hope of a better life. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

: African refugees are pictured inside the Ferry Terminal of Melilla on the north African Spanish enclave of Melilla while boarding a cruise ship which is heading to Malage, the Spanish mainland, on April 2, 2014, in Melilla, Spain. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave on the north coast of Africa sharing a border with Morocco. Almost one week ago some 800 sub-Saharan people made several attempts to reach Spain and according to official sources, ten of them managed to enter Spanish territory. The migrants hide just west of the city centre and try to cross the 7-meter high fence to Melilla and into the European Union in hope of a better life. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

: African refugees wait inside the ferry terminal on the north African Spanish enclave of Melilla, where they will later board a cruise ship heading to Malaga on the Spanish mainland, on April 2, 2014, in Melilla, Spain. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave on the north coast of Africa sharing a border with Morocco. Almost one week ago some 800 sub-Saharan people made several attempts to reach Spain and according to official sources, ten of them managed to enter Spanish territory. The migrants hide just west of the city centre and try to cross the 7-meter high fence to Melilla and into the European Union in hope of a better life. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

: MELILLA, SPAIN – APRIL 02: African refugees wait inside the ferry terminal on the north African Spanish enclave of Melilla, where they will later board a cruise ship heading to Malaga on the Spanish mainland, on April 2, 2014, in Melilla, Spain. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave on the north coast of Africa sharing a border with Morocco. Almost one week ago some 800 sub-Saharan people made several attempts to reach Spain and according to official sources, ten of them managed to enter Spanish territory. The migrants hide just west of the city centre and try to cross the 7-meter high fence to Melilla and into the European Union in hope of a better life. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

: MELILLA, SPAIN – APRIL 02: African refugees are reflected in a sign of the European Union inside the Ferry Terminal of Melilla on the north African Spanish enclave of Melilla while boarding a cruise ship which is heading to Malage, the Spanish mainland, on April 2, 2014, in Melilla, Spain. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave on the north coast of Africa sharing a border with Morocco. Almost one week ago some 800 sub-Saharan people made several attempts to reach Spain and according to official sources, ten of them managed to enter Spanish territory. The migrants hide just west of the city centre and try to cross the 7-meter high fence to Melilla and into the European Union in hope of a better life. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

: MELILLA, SPAIN – APRIL 02: African refugees cheer inside the Ferry Terminal of Melilla on the north African Spanish enclave of Melilla before boarding a cruise ship which is heading to Malage, the Spanish mainland, on April 2, 2014, in Melilla, Spain. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave on the north coast of Africa sharing a border with Morocco. Almost one week ago some 800 sub-Saharan people made several attempts to reach Spain and according to official sources, ten of them managed to enter Spanish territory. The migrants hide just west of the city centre and try to cross the 7-meter high fence to Melilla and into the European Union in hope of a better life. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

: MELILLA, SPAIN – APRIL 02: Arabic women are pictured inside the Ferry Terminal of Melilla on the north African Spanish enclave of Melilla while boarding a cruise ship which is heading to Malage, the Spanish mainland, on April 2, 2014, in Melilla, Spain. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave on the north coast of Africa sharing a border with Morocco. Almost one week ago some 800 sub-Saharan people made several attempts to reach Spain and according to official sources, ten of them managed to enter Spanish territory. The migrants hide just west of the city centre and try to cross the 7-meter high fence to Melilla and into the European Union in hope of a better life. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

: MELILLA, SPAIN – APRIL 02: African refugees wait inside the ferry terminal on the north African Spanish enclave of Melilla, where they will later board a cruise ship heading to Malaga on the Spanish mainland, on April 2, 2014, in Melilla, Spain. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave on the north coast of Africa sharing a border with Morocco. Almost one week ago some 800 sub-Saharan people made several attempts to reach Spain and according to official sources, ten of them managed to enter Spanish territory. The migrants hide just west of the city centre and try to cross the 7-meter high fence to Melilla and into the European Union in hope of a better life. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

: MELILLA, SPAIN – APRIL 02: An Arabic woman is pictured next to a Guardia Policia Officer inside the Ferry Terminal of Melilla on the north African Spanish enclave of Melilla while boarding a cruise ship which is heading to Malage, the Spanish mainland, on April 2, 2014, in Melilla, Spain. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave on the north coast of Africa sharing a border with Morocco. Almost one week ago some 800 sub-Saharan people made several attempts to reach Spain and according to official sources, ten of them managed to enter Spanish territory. The migrants hide just west of the city centre and try to cross the 7-meter high fence to Melilla and into the European Union in hope of a better life. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

Dozens are in the middle of a border-crossing struggle right now in Melilla, a Spanish exclave that sits on the west end of the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by Morocco. About 30 of those people remained perched atop a fence along the border Thursday morning, according to Reuters España.

The Guardian reported in March that hundreds of would-be immigrants stormed the border crossing in an attempt last month; at least 28 people were reported to have been injured in that attempt, while 15 people died in a February attempt in Ceuta, another Spanish territory.

In 2013, over a thousand people crossed the Melilla perimeter, which stretches over 12 kilometers, according to the Reuters report.

From today – Unos 30 inmigrantes se encaraman a la valla de Melilla

From March – Hundreds of migrants storm Spain’s north African enclave of Melilla