Poland approves stricter migration, asylum laws to bolster border control
The Polish government has approved a new set of legislative measures aimed at tightening migration and asylum rules, signaling a move to “take back control” of the nation’s borders.
The proposed laws include provisions that allow the government to temporarily suspend the right to seek asylum, a measure that has drawn both domestic and international attention.
Following a cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Donald Tusk explained the rationale behind the reforms, emphasizing a crackdown on illegal immigration and systemic abuse.
“We do not want to hinder the employment of those who want to work honestly in Poland,” Tusk said. “But we have launched a ruthless fight against illegal immigration, against abuse, against the exploitation of legal loopholes or state weakness.”
The legislation will now proceed to parliament, where the ruling coalition holds a majority. However, one junior coalition partner, The Left (Lewica), has expressed concerns over aspects of the bill, particularly those related to restricting asylum rights.
The proposed measures were developed in response to a recent surge in migration at Poland’s border with Belarus, where tens of thousands of migrants, primarily from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, have attempted to cross into Poland. Tusk accused Belarus and Russia of using migrants to destabilize the European Union.
“Asylum rules are being exploited by Russia and Belarus as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the EU,” Tusk argued. “It is therefore necessary to suspend the right to make asylum claims in certain circumstances.”
The new legislation, presented by the interior ministry, allows the government to suspend asylum rights for up to 60 days in specific border regions during heightened migration pressure. Extensions would require parliamentary approval, and exceptions would be made for vulnerable groups such as unaccompanied minors, pregnant women, and those facing serious harm.
The law also introduces stricter criteria for joint asylum applications by family units during suspension periods and proposes a legal definition of “instrumentalisation.” This term describes actions by states or entities that use migration as a political tool, including violent border crossings or the destruction of border infrastructure.
Additionally, the legislation tightens refugee status rules, allowing the government to revoke refugee status for individuals convicted of serious crimes or deemed security threats.
Human rights organizations have criticized the proposal to suspend asylum rights, arguing that it violates Poland’s international obligations and could lead to migrants being stranded in unsafe conditions.
However, Tusk defended the plan, stating that initial resistance to the idea has shifted. “There was a huge fuss about this proposal in October,” Tusk noted, “but it quickly turned out that this project is not only supported by the people but also in Europe.”
The European Commission recently acknowledged that member states may interfere with fundamental rights, including the right to asylum, under certain conditions such as countering “hybrid threats” like the “weaponisation of migrants.”
Despite this endorsement, The Left remains skeptical. A spokesperson reiterated the party’s opposition, saying, “We maintain a different opinion on asylum and have doubts about the compliance of this solution with international agreements and the constitution.”
The legislation also targets abuses in the student visa system, a problem Tusk claims proliferated under the previous Law and Justice (PiS) government.
“Under the PiS government, you could apply to be a student at some Polish university, get a Schengen visa, and never step foot in the university,” Tusk said. “Tuition fees became the cheapest way to obtain a visa, but no one checked whether these students knew Polish or English, or even if they passed high school exams.”
As the bills move to parliament for debate, the government aims to implement these measures swiftly, citing the need to strengthen Poland’s borders and national security in the face of ongoing migration challenges.
