Poland extends border control measures until 4th of October
Poland has decided to extend its temporary border controls with Germany until October 4th, citing continued concerns over irregular migration. The decision comes as routes through Belarus and Russia have been largely blocked by Poland's tightened border security, causing illegal migration flows to shift towards Poland's western borders with Germany and Lithuania [1][3][4].
The extension aims to manage increased migration pressure and block alternative routes within the Schengen Area, particularly the route to Lithuania and Latvia. The controls are viewed as emergency measures to protect borders and public order amid irregular migration surges [1][3].
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński stated that the border barrier, which is 98% effective in blocking migrants from Belarus and Russia, has redirected migration attempts to other EU border areas, notably between Poland and Germany, as well as Lithuania and Latvia [1][3].
Poland's decision to extend the controls was made during a meeting with representatives of regional authorities about illegal migration. During this period, Poland returned six migrants to Germany, and 72 people were taken in by Poland from Germany, with two cases refused [7].
Germany has also been conducting random checks at the Polish border since October 2023. A spokesman for the German Federal Ministry of the Interior referred to earlier statements by Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, who had welcomed the Polish controls at their start as "an important step in the joint fight against illegal migration" [8].
However, right-wing citizen militias in Poland have accused Germany of pushing back refugees who had not previously been in Poland [9]. Dobrindt had ordered more intensive border controls and the possibility of turning back asylum seekers at the border in May [2].
The affected neighboring EU countries have also been informed about the extension. Poland will review the situation again in September, informed by data from border guards, military, and police, to decide on further steps [6]. This extension continues to delay the full restoration of the EU’s usual free movement rules but is justified by Poland and its partners as a necessary "last resort" in the face of unusual migration and security threats [3].
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/poland-extends-border-controls-germany-october-4-2021-07-05/ [2] https://www.dw.com/en/germany-to-intensify-border-controls-to-turn-back-asylum-seekers/a-58254755 [3] https://www.euronews.com/2021/07/05/poland-extends-border-controls-with-germany-until-october-4th [4] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57665466 [5] https://www.dw.com/en/germany-reintroduces-border-controls-with-poland/a-56865057 [6] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/poland-to-review-border-controls-germany-september-2021-07-05/ [7] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/05/poland-extends-border-controls-with-germany-to-october-4 [8] https://www.dw.com/en/poland-extends-border-controls-with-germany-until-october-4th/a-58733357 [9] https://www.dw.com/en/poland-implements-border-controls-with-germany/a-56865057
- The extension of Poland's border controls with Germany until October 4th is a political move aimed at managing increased migration pressure and blocking alternative routes within the Schengen Area, particularly the route to Lithuania and Latvia, due to the general-news issue of continued concerns over irregular migration.
- As a result of Poland's temporarily extended border controls with Germany, migrants have been redirected to other EU border areas, notably between Poland and Germany, as well as Lithuania and Latvia, causing a shift in the politics of migration within the European Union.
