Polish gov't announces new regulations on immigration,foreigners

Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Blaszczak announced on Monday the planned changes to the regulations on immigration and foreigners law, aimed at sealing the country's borders.

The amendment will facilitate the expulsion of illegal immigrants and increase security.

"Our main concern is security, sealing the borders, and the introduction of procedures facilitating the expulsion of people entering or trying to enter Poland illegally, or with the intention of treating it as a transit country because their actual destination is Western Europe," Blaszczak said at the press conference.

"This is a project which will contribute to increasing the security level in our country," the official added.

Blaszczak introduced the so-called "boundary mode" which assumes investigating a case within 28 days. This means shortening the current time of application investigating process.

During the period, the foreigners will stay in guarded centers. Their status will be clarified and the decision on whether he is allowed to enter the country will be made. However, this might be prolonged up to two months, if necessary.

This mode is mostly aimed at those who do not possess documents required to cross the border, or are concerned to be a possible threat. It will not be applied to those in bad health conditions and the minors.

According to the minister, the amendment will also help avoid migration pressure and strike a blow to human traffickers, discouraging them from treating Poland as a smuggling route.

The minister emphasized the main reason for the upcoming changes was terrorist threat.

Under the amendment, the Council on Refugees will be replaced by the Council on Foreigners and a list of "safe origin countries" will be created. Endit