Speaking to reporters in parliament on Tuesday, Siemoniak said security remained the government’s top priority and urged politicians not to stir up fear among residents of Poland’s western regions.
"Creating political emotions around the western border situation is absolutely inappropriate," he said. "We’re doing everything to ensure safety. If needed, we will increase the number of border guards and police officers even further."
Opposition claims 'completely unfounded'
Responding to concerns raised by politicians from the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party about alleged migrant pushbacks from Germany, Siemoniak said that two categories of cases were at play.
First, some returns take place under the EU’s Dublin regulations, which allow Germany to transfer migrants back to the first Schengen country they entered—sometimes Poland.
"That number is lower than in 2023," Siemoniak said, calling opposition claims "completely unfounded."
The second group includes mostly Ukrainian and Belarusian citizens who hold valid Polish residency but are denied entry into Germany for lacking appropriate permits.
"They are not being deported. They are simply not allowed to enter Germany," he told reporters.
Siemoniak added that Polish authorities were stepping up border patrols and document checks "in response to the ongoing situation" and criticised Germany’s decision to impose internal border checks to curb irregular migration.
"Poland, like other neighbours of Germany – Austria, Luxembourg – is firmly opposed to these controls," he said.
Attempts to 'sow panic and disinformation'
He also dismissed claims that Polish border services were failing in their duties.
"It’s not ministers or politicians patrolling the streets, but reliable, honest officers doing everything they can to ensure public safety," he said.
Opposition MP Dariusz Matecki and others from PiS have been publishing claims online that migrants are being secretly transported from Germany into Poland, bypassing proper procedures, state news agency PAP reported.
Siemoniak described such narratives as attempts to "sow panic and disinformation."
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP