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Poland: There are many criminals among migrants, we are tightening controls

The authorities in Austria have launched around 2,400 procedures to revoke the right of residence in the country of Syrians since the fall of the Assad regime

Feb 8, 2025 05:20 130

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced from the Polish city of Gdansk, to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, that he will tighten the entry of immigrants into the country due to the high levels of crime among them, The Guardian reports, quoted by FOKUS.

Poland will adopt new measures allowing for "an immediate response to organized and violent crimes committed by foreigners", the Polish Prime Minister said.

He added that migrants who break the law "will be deported''.

According to Tusk, the prolonged toleration of this type of criminal behavior does not lead to anything good: "There have been too many examples lately that suggest that tolerating such behavior ultimately leads to really negative effects".

The official meeting also discussed issues of security on the country's eastern border, due to the large influx of migrants coming from there.

In front of the Polish news agency PAP, Tusk indicated that the country had reached its limit in this regard.

"Hosting nearly two million Ukrainian refugees, Poland is a country in a special position'', Tusk stated.

He promised that there would be actions in this direction in the coming days.

"You should expect decisive actions in the coming days that will reduce crime among migrants and foreigners residing in Poland".

His comments come amid a heated debate about crime and the tightening of migration and asylum laws in neighboring Germany, following a series of attacks involving immigrants.

EU commissioners, led by EC President Ursula von der Leyen, were visiting Poland for the country's six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union. Polish ministers participated in thematic meetings with EU commissioners. Tusk gave a joint press conference with the EC head, the Polish agency added.

Tusk noted: "We live in times that are radically and very quickly changing the course of history". He stressed that the EU must rise to the challenge. Tusk added that the priority of the Polish presidency is to ensure the security of European countries. That is why it is important today to "incorporate flexibility into our daily work, a willingness to change course when necessary".

The authorities in Austria have activated around 2,400 procedures to revoke the right of residence in the country of Syrians since the fall of the regime of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in December, APA reported, quoted by BTA, citing the Ministry of the Interior.

In December, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner announced a program for repatriation and deportation, as well as a suspension of asylum decisions for Syrians. Since then, asylum applications have been decreasing. In January 2025 There were 55% fewer asylum applications from Syrians than in January 2024.

In January, a total of 618 Syrian citizens applied for asylum in Austria, compared to 1,393 in the same month the previous year.

If a Syrian citizen applies now, it is registered but not processed. Nearly 80 Syrians have left Austria voluntarily.

In addition, the Federal Agency for Care and Support has held around 440 consultations with Syrians to help them organize their return to their homeland. If they leave voluntarily, Syrians receive up to 1,000 euros, and their protection status is withdrawn upon final return. Asylum procedures for Syrian citizens that are currently underway will also be suspended, Carner said.

"Syria now needs its citizens to be restored", he said, stressing that asylum is only temporary protection that cannot be granted if there are no grounds for it.

Non-governmental organizations such as "Caritas" and "Deacons" have criticized Carner's approach since the fall of the Assad regime, citing the unclear situation in Syria as an argument.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, the voluntary return of refugees is the most favorable option for taxpayers and is therefore encouraged. In preparing for forced deportations, priority will be given to offenders and those "who do not want to integrate and work".