After a week of temporary border control, border guards refused to readmit two foreigners.

Border guards operating in Western Pomerania refused to transfer two illegal migrants from Germany to Poland. They inspected 41,000 people and 17,000 cars. This information was released to the media on Monday during a press conference at the West Pomeranian Voivodeship Office in Szczecin summarizing the first week of temporary border controls.

"Two individuals were rejected for simplified readmission. They were an Ethiopian citizen and an Eritrean citizen. Our German partners did not present sufficient evidence to substantiate the need for their return to Polish territory. These individuals remained in Germany," said Border Guard Commander in Szczecin, Colonel Zbigniew Pałka.

He reported that last week, during the readmission process to Poland in the West Pomeranian section, Germany had withdrawn more than a dozen people (our information indicates that as of Thursday, there were 18 – AS note). These were mainly citizens of Eritrea and Yemen who entered Germany from Poland, having previously entered via Belarus and Lithuania. The commander announced that 41,000 people and 17,000 cars had been checked so far during selective checks. There were no detentions or refusals of entry. Regarding the so-called "citizen patrols," their activity has not yet disrupted the services' operations.

"We are carrying out our duties. You are present, but you do not interfere with our activities," said Border Guard Colonel Zbigniew Pałka.

When questioned by journalists, he said there was no information indicating that border crossings were becoming critical infrastructure. Prime Minister Donald Tusk had announced the introduction of such a measure.

According to West Pomeranian Voivode Bartosz Bożyński, the inspections are not causing any major traffic disruptions. He stated that no congestion has occurred so far. There have also been no delays on trains traveling from Poland to Germany or from Germany to Poland.

"You can only cross the border through 19 border crossings," the deputy voivode emphasized. "Currently, crossing the border at other points is prohibited. I would like to remind you that people who want to cross the border must have a valid ID card, national identity card, or passport. Importantly, these cannot be electronic documents, such as those displayed on mObywatel."

Germany is securing all its borders (including selective vehicle checks). Since 2015, it has been securing the border with Austria; from October 2023, it has been securing the border with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland; and from autumn 2024, it has been securing the border with its remaining neighbors.

Polish border controls with Germany and Lithuania were launched on June 7 for 30 days. However, they will likely be extended.©℗

Alan Sasinowski