Austria and Poland Take Tough Stance on Migration Amid Rising Pressure
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Poland and Austria have introduced strict new measures on migration, signaling a hardening stance across parts of the European Union as governments face increasing domestic pressure over asylum policies.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that his government would immediately implement a newly passed law suspending the right of certain migrants to apply for asylum. The legislation, signed by President Andrzej Duda, allows Polish authorities to block asylum requests for up to 60 days at a time, a move officials argue is necessary to bolster national security.
Tusk defended the policy against criticism from human rights groups, emphasizing that it targets migrants crossing the Belarusian border in large, organized groups allegedly orchestrated by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. Since 2021, Poland and its Baltic neighbors—Lithuania, Latvia, and Finland—have experienced a surge in border crossings from Belarus and Russia, prompting military deployments and the construction of border barriers.
Rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have condemned the Polish government’s decision, arguing it contradicts Poland’s international and EU commitments. They have called for legal action from Brussels, warning that the law could effectively seal off the border and worsen conditions for those seeking protection. Activists estimate that over a hundred migrants have died along the EU’s eastern frontier since 2021.
Meanwhile, Austria has taken steps to limit immigration by pausing family reunifications for asylum seekers starting in May. Integration Minister Claudia Plakolm announced that the government would introduce legal amendments allowing the interior ministry to halt family reunifications, citing an overburdened system and challenges in integrating new arrivals.
The temporary measure, which could be extended until 2027, comes amid growing anti-immigration sentiment in Austria. The country has already stopped family reunifications for Syrians since last December, following a shift in its assessment of Syria’s political situation.
Critics, including asylum rights groups, have vowed to challenge the Austrian government’s decree in court, arguing that such a suspension lacks legal justification. However, the ruling conservative-led coalition remains firm, citing concerns over strained public services and the difficulties many migrants face in learning German and securing employment.
With nationalist and conservative parties gaining traction across Europe, Poland and Austria’s latest policies reflect broader challenges as the EU struggles to find a unified approach to migration amid political and social tensions.
