On October 13, 2024, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced plans to temporarily suspend the right to asylum in response to a surge in illegal border crossings from Belarus. This measure is part of a new migration strategy aimed at controlling the influx of migrants, primarily from the Middle East and Africa, attempting to enter the European Union through Poland.
Tusk, addressing a party congress of his Civic Coalition, emphasized the need for a 'merciless' fight against illegal immigration and stated that the government would regain full control over border entry. He accused Belarus and Russia of orchestrating a 'hybrid attack' by facilitating these crossings, which he claims exploit the asylum system.
The Prime Minister's announcement follows increasing pressure on Poland's borders since 2021, with accusations against Belarusian authorities for luring migrants to the border. Tusk's administration plans to present the detailed migration strategy to the Cabinet, which aims to minimize illegal crossings, a policy that has garnered significant public support but has faced criticism from human rights organizations.
In a related development, Poland has allocated €2.3 billion to strengthen its border defenses, further underscoring the government's commitment to curbing illegal migration.