What Happened?

On Thursday, October 17, the government of Donald Tusk officially released Poland’s “comprehensive and responsible” migration strategy for 2025-2030. The document is titled *”Regaining Control. Ensuring Security.”* On Tuesday, October 15, OKO.press obtained an earlier version of this document, which was submitted to the government for review.

In the final version, there was a modification concerning the restriction of the right to asylum. The government included a statement that the rules for granting international protection to foreigners are currently being “ruthlessly exploited by dictatorial regimes,” and that Poland must fend off “attacks from Belarus and Russia.” The strategy’s fourth point states: “In the event of a threat to state stability due to an influx of immigrants, it should be possible to temporarily and territorially suspend the right to accept asylum applications.”

One sentence was added after revisions: “Relevant legislation should include mechanisms for parliamentary oversight, protection of vulnerable groups, and the experiences of other countries.” This change was supported by ministers from the Poland 2050 and Left (Lewica) parties.

The other strategic objectives outlined in the document include:

1. **Security as a priority**, understood as the state’s commitment to ensure that migration processes are thoroughly regulated and remain under control in terms of the purpose of arrival, the scale of the influx, and the countries of origin of migrants.

2. **Government-defined principles of access to Polish territory**, taking into account Poland’s EU membership. These principles are to be regulated through visa policies and the legalization of foreigners’ stay. The goal: to prevent the entry and residence of undesirable individuals in Poland.

3. **Border protection and prevention of illegal immigration**, which is seen as part of hybrid activities targeting Poland’s and the EU’s interests, identified as a priority in state security efforts.

4. **Safe and controlled economic immigration**, recognized as a positive factor enhancing the competitiveness of the Polish economy, especially in addressing shortages in certain professions.

5. **Implementation of migration policy** regarding access to employment through cooperation between the government, local authorities, employers hiring foreigners, and trade unions, with the assumption that migration policy should not be an obstacle to the modernization of the Polish economy.

6. **Strengthening the system for issuing student visas**, to eliminate the possibility of fake studies being used as a means to legalize residence in the EU.

7. **Integration of migration policy with integration policy**, where foreigners will be required to adapt to the norms and rules in Polish society.

8. **Transparent regulation of the process for granting Polish citizenship**, with the key criterion being integration into Polish society, especially through proficiency in the Polish language and respect for Polish norms.

9. **Changes in Polish diaspora policy**, promoting the teaching of the Polish language and supporting repatriation programs.

The government emphasized that the main goals and directions of the strategy still require the development of an implementation program, which will be prepared following the document’s adoption and through “broad public consultations.”

What is the Context?*

The government document has sparked controversy, particularly regarding the fourth point, which pertains to the suspension of the right to asylum. Donald Tusk announced this proposal during the Civic Platform (KO) convention on Saturday, October 12.

On Monday, Maciej Duszczyk, Deputy Minister of the Interior responsible for the strategy, explained what the Prime Minister meant by the asylum law. On Tuesday, the government deliberated on the draft document and adopted it with minor changes. Four Left ministers expressed dissent. Today, October 17, the strategy was finally officially published on government websites.

Grupa Granica: A Threat to Human Rights

Shortly after the publication, Grupa Granica, an organization assisting migrants entering Poland via the Belarusian border, issued a statement. The addition of a single mitigating sentence in the fourth point did not change their negative assessment of the government’s plans.

“By announcing the temporary and territorial suspension of the right to submit applications for international protection (commonly known as asylum), Prime Minister Donald Tusk is effectively attacking human rights and halting the process of restoring the rule of law,” the statement reads.

“The solution lies in the application of existing procedures, compliant with national and international law, which ensure a fair process for establishing identity and conducting individual assessments of each person’s situation. […] The key to regaining control is applying the law, creating legal migration pathways, implementing a wise reception and integration policy, and coordinating actions between services, institutions, and non-governmental organizations,” the activists wrote.

In their statement, Grupa Granica pointed to the rising xenophobic sentiments in Poland, including so-called “citizen patrols,” which are the result of inflammatory statements by politicians. The activists called for an end to efforts to implement the fourth point of the strategy.

Tusk: We Won’t Back Down

It appears that the government has no intention of retreating from its plans. Donald Tusk has already presented them to the heads of EU member states at a summit in Brussels. “What I wanted to achieve here, I’ve already achieved. There is understanding of our situation. No one has a problem with recognizing Poland’s right to temporarily suspend the acceptance of asylum applications. It went easier than I expected,” Tusk told journalists on October 17.

Tusk previously stated that he would push for the recognition of Poland’s plans by European partners. So far, significant doubts have been expressed by KO’s coalition partners: politicians from the Left and Poland 2050. However, the Polish People’s Party (PSL) is unconditionally supportive. Deputy Minister Duszczyk argued that the government was inspired by the Finnish model. Finland also suspended the right to asylum in certain parts of its territory. As OKO.press has reported, however, that model still ensures that applications are accepted from vulnerable groups, such as children and people with disabilities.

This particular principle is most likely reflected in the newly added sentence in the Polish strategy concerning the “protection of vulnerable groups” (vulnerable groups were mentioned in the first version of the document, but in the final version presented on the government website, they were additionally included in the core goals and directions of migration policy).

The above text by Maria Pankowska was published in OKO.press on October 17, 2024.