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Euronews
Euronews
Jan Bolanowski

Poland's border with Belarus sees decrease in illegal immigration attempts by 96%

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, in the first quarter of 2026, only 158 attempts to illegally cross the border were recorded, compared to as many as 3,306 in the same period in 2022. This represents a decrease of almost 96 per cent.

According to the ministry, such a marked improvement in the situation is the result of consistent government policy and increased investment in state border protection. A key role was played by the actions of Border Guard officers, who secure the country's eastern border on a daily basis.

The communiqué also stressed the importance of the legal regulations introduced, including the temporary suspension of the right to asylum. According to the authorities, this mechanism was previously abused by persons trying to enter Poland illegally.

Border with Belarus still closely guarded

The government insisted that, despite the clear reduction in migratory pressure, it did not intend to abandon further measures to strengthen security. Investment in border infrastructure along the section with Belarus continues, and temporary controls on the borders with Germany and Lithuania are maintained.

"Migration is under control, but we are not losing vigilance," the Ministry of the Interior stated, adding that ensuring the security of citizens remains one of the state's priorities.

The border with Belarus has had a physical barrier in the form of a 5.5-metre high fence topped with barbed wire since 2022. It is also monitored by cameras and other electronic devices. Despite this, the border has been repeatedly seen violent attempts at overcoming it by groups of migrants in recent years, and on 6 June 2024, a Polish soldier was stabbed to death during clashes at the border.

Border Guard officers have also reported on several occasions the discovery of tunnels under the border, through which migrants have tried to enter Poland and the EU.

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