So far, 10,700 foreign nationals have sought asylum in Poland, with the majority coming from Ukraine, Belarus and Russia, the Rzeczpospolita newspaper reported on Thursday, citing data from the Warsaw-based Office for Foreigners.
In contrast, most migrants from Africa and Asia—including Syria, Somalia, Eritrea and Afghanistan— currently in Poland, aim to continue their journey to other European countries, according to Rzeczpospolita.
The newspaper said a buffer zone along Poland's border with Belarus has reduced the number of illegal border crossings but has not completely secured the frontier.
Starting Monday, Germany will reinstate controls on all of its land borders, significantly affecting Poland, a key transit route for many migrants entering Europe illegally, according to the rp.pl website.
German border controls set to impact Poland
Around 160,000 migrants have already reached Germany this year via Poland and the Balkans, according to data cited by the Polish newspaper.
Under new regulations approved by the German government, tighten border controls will allow for the return of migrants attempting to enter illegally to the countries they passed through, including Poland.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has criticized the move, calling for consultations among European Union members.
According to Tusk, "such actions are unacceptable from the Polish perspective."
Meanwhile, Austria has announced it will not accept migrants turned away by Germany who attempt to cross its borders illegally.
(mp/gs)
Source: Rzeczpospolita/rp.pl