Mariusz Kamiński spoke after President Andrzej Duda declared a state of emergency in parts of two Polish regions, Podlaskie and Lubelskie, bordering the former Soviet republic.
"We are taking proportionate and firm action where it is necessary," Kamiński told a news conference.
He added that the new measures approved by the president would help "effectively stabilise the situation on the border."
The president's move represents a response to "the profound migration crisis," which has erupted in the borderland, due to "purely political factors," Kamiński stated.
He argued that Belarus' strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko "is seeking to cause a repeat of" the 2015 migrant crisis, with "hundreds of thousands of unfortunate people from across the world attempting to cross into the EU."
Kamiński told reporters that a standoff near the village of Usnarz Górny, where some 30 migrants have been stuck between Belarus and Poland, was merely "the tip of the iceberg which Lukashenko has in store for us."
"We won't allow Poland to become yet another channel for mass transfer of illegal migrants to the EU," Kamiński declared.
"We won't tolerate any risk to the safety of our citizens, especially those living near the Belarus border," he added.
Kamiński noted that major Russian-Belarusian maneuvers were scheduled to begin next week, involving around 200,000 soldiers and stretching to the city of Brest, just 3 kilometres from the Polish border.
Given that "highly emotional" people are in charge "on the other side," Poland must be "ready for any scenario and provocation," he said.
"As a state, we must be confident that our eastern border is well prepared for various contingencies—hence the large number of soldiers, border guards and police officials," Kamiński also told reporters.
He explained that as of Friday, September 3, only residents and workers would be allowed to stay in the 183 border towns and villages covered by the state of emergency.
The measure has met with "understanding and approval" among local government leaders and residents, according to Kamiński.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP