Poland
has temporarily prohibited immigrants from seeking asylum as part of an effort to ‘regain control’ over its boundaries.

Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, declared that the right to seek asylum would be temporarily halted for 60 days due to a surge in arrivals.
Belarus
border.

Exceptions will be granted for unaccompanied children, expectant mothers, senior citizens, individuals who are not feeling well, and those facing a genuine threat of significant injury.

The two-month restriction will be implemented immediately, Tusk stated last night.

Polish authorities have asserted that the Russian government has
coerced its neighbor Belarus into channeling migrants toward their shared frontier
to undermine the EU stability.

Warsaw has put up a five-meter tall barbed wire fence along a significant portion of the border after a steady flow of immigrants tried to cross over.

Video surfaced over the weekend showing 280 migrants.
trying to enter Poland from Belarus
.

The team successfully cut an opening in the fence using a cutting torch and then proceeded to go through one at a time.

Nevertheless, they are swiftly caught by soldiers arriving in armored vehicles, who stop them from proceeding and then focus on repairing the fence.

The Polish President, Andrzej Duda, allegedly showed reluctance towards approving the suspension due to concerns that it might impact refugees coming from Belarus.

Nevertheless, authorities have ensured that individuals who genuinely face risks will retain the ability to seek asylum.

Duda stated yesterday: “Today, I made the decision for what is called the asylum act to be implemented. I signed it as I feel it is essential to enhance the safety of our borders.”

‘The crucial aspect is to protect the Polish frontier and the Polish entities responsible for safeguarding it.’

Since taking office at the end of 2023, Tusk has aimed to strengthen control over Poland’s boundaries.

He stated that the contentious bill will be a step towards reclaiming ‘Poland’s border control’.

When announcing the proposals, he stated: “Should anyone wish to visit Poland, they are expected to adhere to Polish standards, embrace Polish traditions, and strive for integration.”

‘The native culture can feel endangered when there are an excessive number of individuals from different backgrounds.’

Since 2021, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Finland have
witnessed a significant increase in individuals unlawfully entering their country from Belarus and Russia.

The nations have blamed both Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko for
arming migration as a tactic to undermine the European Union stability
.

More than 15,000 individuals sought asylum in Poland during 2024, marking a 72 percent increase from the previous year and representing the highest yearly total since 2016.

Following Ukrainians, the highest number of applications last year came from Belarusians, totaling 3,663 asylum seekers, followed by 823 Russians.

Next comes Ethiopia with 515, Eritrea with 505, and Somalia with 486.

The passage across this area has been perilous for numerous migrants, as nearly 100 documented fatalities are believed to be below the actual number.

Poland’s actions have faced considerable scrutiny, with Human Rights Watch stating that they contradict Poland’s international and EU commitments. They also warn that these measures might ‘completely close off the Poland-Belarus border,’ where Polish officials allegedly carry out illegal and abusive expulsions.

They have similarly called for the EU to initiate legal proceedings against Poland after the implementation of the law.

But Tusk dismissed this in October, saying: ‘Nobody is talking about violating human rights, the right to asylum, we are talking about not granting applications to people who illegally cross the border in groups organised by Lukashenko.’

In February, the Polish authorities announced their decision not to participate in the European Union’s Pact on Migration and Asylum, an initiative designed to handle the influx of refugees into member states.

As per the accord, states had the option to relocate a specific quota of migrants, make a monetary contribution, or offer operational assistance to facilitate resettlement.

Nevertheless, both Poland and Hungary have objected to this measure, intended to hold legal force over every single EU nation.

Tusk stated, “Poland will not enforce the Migration Pact if it means accepting more immigrant quotas within the country.”

We are prepared to work together with all parties to safeguard Europe against unlawful immigration. Nevertheless, Poland will not assume any further responsibilities. We have already shouldered more than anybody would have anticipated only a short time ago.

The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, acknowledged that Poland has taken in more than its fair share of Ukrainian refugees following the Russian invasion of 2022.

Other countries within the EU are similarly
implementing measures to restrict the privileges of those seeking asylum.

Finland has barred all migrants from entering through its Russian border since 2023, whereas newly appointed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
pledged to halt all unauthorized migration across Germany’s terrestrial boundaries upon taking office
.

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