In a move shaped by the European Union’s Dublin Regulations, German authorities are striving to send approximately 3,400 migrants back to Poland due to their illegal residence in Germany after initially entering the EU through the Polish border. The decision underscores the intricate challenges surrounding irregular migration and the cooperation required among EU member states.
The Polish Border Guard (SG) has confirmed this endeavour, shedding light on the dynamics of the situation. Anna Michalska, the spokesperson for the Border Guard, revealed that the largest cohorts among the potential returnees include citizens of Georgia, Russia (primarily of Chechen nationality), and Iraq. Having entered Germany from Poland, these individuals are subject to the Dublin Regulations, which permit member states to return irregular migrants to their initial EU entry point.
From the beginning of the year until the end of July, data from the SG illustrates that around 3,950 migrants have been designated for repatriation to Poland from various EU nations, with Germany accounting for a significant 3,377 of these cases. Remarkably, the current year has already witnessed the return of 804 individuals to Poland from multiple EU states, pointing to the shared commitment to adhere to EU regulations on migration.
Michalska further elucidated that some of the migrants in Germany might have illegally traversed the borders of Belarus, Lithuania, or Latvia before reaching Germany via Poland. This complex pathway underscores the intricacies of tracking migrants’ journeys and determining the appropriate repatriation channels.
For migrants falling under this category, a streamlined readmission program comes into play. If individuals are apprehended at the Polish border or possess documentation proving their entry through Poland, they could be repatriated within 48 hours. This expedited process reflects an attempt to efficiently manage irregular migration while ensuring due process and adherence to EU rules.