Poland has initiated temporary border controls with Germany and Lithuania this week, aiming to curb what officials describe as an influx of undocumented migrants entering from neighboring countries.
This move reflects a growing trend across the European Union, where increasing public anxiety over migration is putting pressure on the bloc’s passport-free Schengen zone. The Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany have already implemented similar measures to strengthen border security.
Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak reported a smooth transition as the new controls came into effect. “Traffic is currently moving smoothly,” Siemoniak told private broadcaster TVN24 on Monday. “We have 800 police officers, 200 gendarmerie soldiers, and 500 territorial army soldiers on duty, all in full readiness.”
The heightened security comes amid rising tensions in Poland over migration. Far-right groups have begun organizing “citizens’ patrols” along the western border, responding to media reports alleging that German authorities are pushing undocumented migrants back into Poland.
At a midnight press conference on the German border marking the commencement of the checks, Siemoniak emphasized that only official personnel are authorized to conduct vehicle inspections, addressing concerns over the unauthorized patrols.
Meanwhile, the Polish border guard announced the detention of an Estonian citizen near the Lithuanian border, suspected of transporting four undocumented migrants believed to be from Afghanistan.
Mounting Public Concerns
Public sentiment towards migrants in Poland has grown increasingly tense following recent violent incidents. In June, a 24-year-old woman was killed in the city of Toruń, with a Venezuelan citizen charged in connection with her death. On Sunday, a Polish man died after being stabbed during an altercation in Nowe, northern Poland, leading to the arrest of a Colombian citizen.
Police have detained 13 individuals related to the Nowe incident, including three Poles and ten Colombians. State broadcaster TVP Info reported that tensions in the town escalated, with crowds gathering outside the hostel where the foreign nationals resided.
Human rights organizations have criticized the rise of unauthorized border patrols. The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights expressed concern over the “self-proclaimed groups” in a statement on Friday.
“The actions of these groups are the result of a radicalizing political narrative that presents migration as a threat, fueling societal fears and distrust of state institutions,” the foundation stated. “We appeal for an honest and reliable public debate on migration and border policy, based on facts rather than fear and manipulation.”
