Poland imposes checks on German and Lithuanian borders amid migration fears
A border stone of Poland is seen as Polish border guards check a vehicle at Polish-German border, as Poland starts controls on borders with Germany, Lithuania over migration, near the German town of Frankfurt an der Oder, in Slubice, Poland, July 7, 2025. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner
WARSAW - Poland introduced temporary controls on its borders with Germany and Lithuania on Monday in an effort to stem what the government says is an increasing number of undocumented migrants crossing from the north and west.
The re-imposition of border checks is just the latest example of how mounting public concerns across the European Union over migration are straining the fabric of the bloc's passport-free Schengen zone. The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany itself have already implemented similar measures.
In Poland, the debate over migration has become increasingly heated in recent weeks, with groups of far-right activists launching "citizens' patrols" on the western border amid Polish media reports of German authorities sending undocumented migrants back across the frontier.
"Everything is proceeding without incident," Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak told private broadcaster TVN24 on Monday after the controls came into effect.
"Traffic is currently moving smoothly, 800 police officers, 200 gendarmerie soldiers, 500 territorial army soldiers, all services... are in full readiness."
Speaking at a midnight press conference on the German border when the checks began, Siemoniak also said only state officials such as border guards were authorised to check vehicles entering Poland, in a reference to the "citizens' patrols".
The border guard said in a post on X it had detained an Estonian citizen on Poland's border with Lithuania for transporting four illegal migrants believed to be Afghans.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Four golf courses to close by 2035, leaving Singapore with 12 courses
Singapore Eligible S'poreans to get up to $850 in GSTV cash, up to $450 in MediSave top-ups in August
Singapore Construction starts on Cross Island Line Phase 2; 6 MRT stations in S'pore's west ready by 2032
Singapore More nurses to anchor care in community settings as Singapore's population ages
Singapore $1.46b nickel scam: Ng Yu Zhi opts to remain silent after judge calls for his defence
Singapore New SkillsFuture requirements from April 2026 to mandate regular training for adult educators
Asia Australian woman found guilty of all counts in mushroom murders case
Singapore Life After... blazing biomedical research trail in S'pore: Renowned scientist breaks new ground at 59
HARDENING PUBLIC MOOD
Public sentiment in Poland towards migrants has hardened since a 24-year-old woman was killed in the city of Torun by a Venezuelan citizen in June. On Sunday some 10,000 people took part in a march organised by nationalist activists in remembrance of her.
Meanwhile on Saturday evening a Polish man died after being stabbed during a fight in Nowe, northern Poland. A Colombian citizen was arrested on suspicion of being responsible.
Police said on Monday they had detained a total of 13 people in connection with the incident - three Poles and 10 Colombians.
State new channel TVP Info showed angry crowds gathering in the town outside the workers' hostel where the Colombians lived.
Human rights activists condemned the "citizens' patrols".
"The actions of these self-proclaimed groups are the result of a radicalising political narrative that presents migration as a threat, which fuels social fears and distrust of state institutions," the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights said in a statement on Friday.
"The Foundation once again appeals for an honest and reliable public debate on the migration situation and border policy, based on facts, not fear and manipulation." REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
24 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Indonesia pledges to buy more US wheat in bid for trade deal
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding for US wheat purchases that spans this year through 2030. JAKARTA – Indonesia, the world's second-biggest wheat buyer, plans to purchase more wheat from the US as it seeks to secure a trade deal ahead of the looming tariff deadline. The South-east Asian nation signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for US wheat purchases that spans this year through 2030, Mr Franciscus Welirang, the chairman of the Indonesian Flour Mills Association – known as Aptindo – said at a ceremony on July 7 in Jakarta. The deal is valued at about US$1.25 billion (S$1.6 billion) , he said. As part of the MOU, Indonesia may buy at least 800,000 tons of wheat from the US this year, up from 740,000 tons in 2024, and a minimum of 1 million tons annually from 2026, he said. The US last sold more than 1 million tons of wheat to Indonesia in 2020, when it shipped about 1.2 million tons, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) figures show. While the new pledge marks an increase, it still represents a fraction of Indonesia's total wheat purchases. The USDA forecasts the country's imports at 12 million tons in the 2025 to 2026 season. The agreement will increase access for US wheat in Indonesia and help ensure a stable and steady market, Mr Joe Sowers, regional vice-president for South and South-east Asia for industry group US Wheat Associates, said after the signing in Jakarta. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World 25% on Japan and Malaysia, 40% on Laos: Trump's tariff letters to Asia add pressure for deals by Aug 1 Business US stocks knocked lower by tariff jitters; Musk's political plan hits Tesla World Netanyahu says has nominated Trump for Nobel Peace Prize Singapore Fastest charger to be added to Singapore's EV charging network by Q4 in 2025 Singapore Singapore's second mufti Sheikh Syed Isa Semait dies at age 87 Singapore Fewer marriages in Singapore in 2024; greater marital stability for recent unions Singapore Competition watchdog gives SIA, Malaysia Airlines conditional approval to continue cooperation Singapore Eligible S'poreans to get up to $850 in GSTV cash, up to $450 in MediSave top-ups in August Seven major wheat suppliers, including Cargill and Bunge Global SA, will participate in the market based on their price competitiveness, he said. The nation mainly buys wheat from Australia, Canada and the US, Mr Welirang said, adding that the country may import about 9.5 million tons for the flour industry this year and the rest for feed. Indonesia also plans to sign similar pledges to boost purchases of other commodities, including corn and soybeans, at an event on July 7 in Washington, according to Mr Pujo Setio, an official from the nation's Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs. BLOOMBERG
Straits Times
26 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Trump says he would love to remove Iran sanctions at the right time
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Mr Donald Trump said a recent move to remove US sanctions on Syria would help that country move forward, and he hoped a similar move could happen for Iran. WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump on July 7 said he would love to remove tough US sanctions on Iran at the right time. Mr Trump, speaking to reporters at the start of a dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said a recent move to remove US sanctions on Syria would help that country move forward, and he hoped a similar move could happen for Iran. 'I would love to be able to, at the right time, take those sanctions off, give them a chance at rebuilding, because I'd like to see Iran build itself back up in a peaceful manner, and not going around saying, 'death to America,' 'death to the USA,' 'death to Israel,' as they were doing,' he said. REUTERS
Straits Times
41 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Trump says US will send more weapons to Ukraine
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox US President Donald Trump (right) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in The Hague on June 25. WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump on July 8 said the United States will send additional weapons to Ukraine, after the White House announced a halt to some arms shipments for Kyiv the previous week. 'We're going to have to send more weapons – defensive weapons primarily,' he told journalists at the White House. 'They're getting hit very, very hard,' he said of Ukraine, while saying he is 'not happy' with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mr Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Russia's smaller neighbour in 2022 and has shown little willingness to end the conflict despite pressure from Mr Trump. Ukraine is contending with some of Russia's largest missile and drone attacks of the three-year war, and a halt to the provision of munitions posed a potentially serious challenge for Kyiv. Under former president Joe Biden, Washington committed to providing more than US$65 billion in military assistance to Ukraine. But Mr Trump – long sceptical of assistance for Ukraine – has not followed suit, announcing no new military aid packages for Kyiv since he took office in January of this year. AFP
