The Polish-German border, once a symbol of European unity within the Schengen Area, has become a flashpoint of controversy as tensions over illegal migration reach a boiling point. In a dramatic escalation, two Polish citizens were detained by German police at the Lubieszyn border crossing on June 25, 2025, while participating in a volunteer patrol aimed at blocking illegal migrants from entering Poland. The arrests have ignited outrage among Polish conservatives, who accuse German authorities of undermining local efforts to secure the border. This incident, coupled with allegations of coordinated migrant transfers from Germany to Poland and even the Netherlands, has sparked a heated debate about sovereignty, security, and the enforcement of EU asylum rules.
[](https://rmx.news/article/german-police-detain-poles-guarding-border-against-illegal-migration-amid-rising-migrant-handovers/)A Growing Crisis at the Polish-German Border
The incident at Lubieszyn was first brought to public attention by Polish journalist Tomasz Duklanowski, who shared compelling footage and photos of approximately 30 men stationed near the border crossing. "This is just the beginning. We will be here every day, and soon there will be hundreds of us!" the group declared, signaling the start of regular citizen-led patrols. These self-organized efforts, however, were swiftly interrupted by German police, who detained two members of the patrol for over half an hour, according to Duklanowski. The detentions have fueled accusations that German authorities are not only failing to address illegal migration but actively working against Polish citizens trying to protect their borders.
[](https://rmx.news/article/german-police-detain-poles-guarding-border-against-illegal-migration-amid-rising-migrant-handovers/)Polish conservative politician Dariusz Matecki, a prominent figure in the Law and Justice (PiS) party, condemned the German response, stating, "It is clear that Polish citizens defending the border alone provoke great anger among German services. Poles can thwart their plans!" Matecki’s remarks reflect a growing sentiment among Polish nationalists that their country is being unfairly burdened by migration flows orchestrated by Germany.
[](https://rmx.news/article/german-police-detain-poles-guarding-border-against-illegal-migration-amid-rising-migrant-handovers/)Allegations of Coordinated Migrant Transfers
A day before the Lubieszyn incident, Matecki released explosive claims about coordinated migrant handovers from Germany to Poland. Citing a video from June 24, 2025, he alleged that German vehicles were dropping off African migrants at the Lubieszyn-Linken border crossing, where Polish Border Guard officers then loaded them onto buses and transported them further into Poland. "In the shadows, there is a mass smuggling of migrants from Germany to Poland," Matecki declared, claiming that sources within the Polish Border Guard reported 50 to 60 individuals being transferred daily in the Szczecin district alone.
[](https://rmx.news/article/german-police-detain-poles-guarding-border-against-illegal-migration-amid-rising-migrant-handovers/)These allegations have been echoed by the nationalist Confederation party, which accuses Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government of turning a blind eye to the issue. Confederation MP Krzysztof Bosak highlighted a critical loophole in current EU asylum regulations: while asylum applications can be suspended for those stopped at the state border, individuals who cross illegally can immediately request asylum, effectively bypassing any restrictions. This loophole, Bosak argues, enables the continued influx of migrants into Poland.
[](https://rmx.news/article/german-police-detain-poles-guarding-border-against-illegal-migration-amid-rising-migrant-handovers/)Social Media Amplifies Local Concerns
Videos circulating on platforms like X have intensified public concern, showing groups of African men loitering in Polish towns such as Zielona Góra and Szczecin. In one particularly unsettling video from Zielona Góra, residents expressed alarm at the presence of migrants outside a local school, raising fears for the safety of children. In Szczecin, Matecki confronted several undocumented migrants who claimed to be Somali, a nationality that, under current EU regulations, cannot be deported due to unsafe conditions in their home country. These individuals, Matecki alleged, were provided with documents by German border guards before being sent into Poland, further stoking accusations of coordinated transfers.
[](https://rmx.news/article/german-police-detain-poles-guarding-border-against-illegal-migration-amid-rising-migrant-handovers/)Przejście graniczne Lubieszyn teraz. Około 30 mężczyzn pilnuje granicy przed nielegalną migracja.
— Tomasz Duklanowski (@TDuklanowski) June 25, 2025
' To początek, będziemy tu codziennie i będą nas setki!" pic.twitter.com/R0usvtPJk6
A Broader European Pattern
The controversy is not confined to Poland. A recent incident in the Dutch city of Venlo, just four miles from the German border, has raised similar concerns. Security footage captured by a local florist showed German police dropping off a man with a brown envelope and suitcase at 4 a.m. without notifying Dutch authorities. The Dutch Ministry of Asylum acknowledged that such transfers are "routine" under EU rules, but Venlo’s mayor, Antoin Scholten, admitted he was unaware of the incident and that the municipality had no authority in such matters. This lack of communication has sparked outrage in the Netherlands, with many questioning the transparency and legality of these transfers.
[](https://rmx.news/article/german-police-detain-poles-guarding-border-against-illegal-migration-amid-rising-migrant-handovers/)Germany’s role in returning migrants to Poland is further underscored by data from the Polish Border Guard and German authorities. Between January 2024 and February 2025, Germany returned over 11,000 migrants to Poland, including 5,199 Ukrainians, 584 Afghans, and 430 Georgians, under the Dublin Regulation and border control measures. While the number of returns has decreased slightly in recent months, the issue remains a contentious one, particularly as Poland has suspended asylum applications at its eastern border with Belarus to combat what the government calls "hybrid aggression."
[](https://notesfrompoland.com/2025/04/11/germany-has-returned-over-11000-migrants-to-poland-in-past-14-months/)Niemiecka policja zatrzymała uczestników patrolu obywatelskiego na przejściu granicznym w Lubieszynie.
— Dariusz Matecki (@DariuszMatecki) June 25, 2025
Widać, że sprawa obrony granicy przez samym polskich obywateli budzi wielką złość niemieckich służb. Polacy mogą pokrzyżować im plany! Ruszamy patrolować granice!… pic.twitter.com/bFmOW6wL2O
Political Fallout and Public Outcry
The detentions at Lubieszyn and allegations of migrant transfers have galvanized Polish conservatives, who see these events as evidence of a broader assault on Polish sovereignty. Protests have erupted along the Polish-German border, with hundreds rallying against what they describe as Germany’s use of migrants as part of a "hybrid war" against Poland. Organized by nationalist leader Robert Bąkiewicz, these protests have received support from the PiS party, whose presidential candidate has praised the "Polish patriots" guarding the border.
[](https://notesfrompoland.com/2025/03/24/hundreds-protest-on-border-against-german-migrant-deportations-to-poland/)Prime Minister Donald Tusk has faced sharp criticism from the opposition for his handling of the migration crisis. Critics, including PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński, argue that Tusk’s government has failed to secure the western border while allowing Germany to offload its migration challenges onto Poland. Tusk, in turn, has suggested that Poland may cease complying with the EU’s Dublin Regulation, a move that has drawn warnings from the European Commission about the need to adhere to asylum rules.
[](https://notesfrompoland.com/2025/03/24/hundreds-protest-on-border-against-german-migrant-deportations-to-poland/)An Emotional Call to Action
For many Poles, the issue transcends politics—it’s about protecting their homeland, their families, and their way of life. The sight of volunteers risking detention to guard the border resonates deeply with a nation that has long valued its hard-won sovereignty. Parents in towns like Zielona Góra and Szczecin are voicing their fears on social media, demanding answers about who these migrants are and whether they pose a threat to their communities. The sense of betrayal is palpable, as many feel that their government and EU institutions are prioritizing bureaucratic regulations over the safety and security of Polish citizens.
Across the border, Germans face their own frustrations. With Germany reinstating border controls in 2023 to curb illegal immigration, the pressure to manage migrant flows has led to controversial decisions, such as the transfers to Poland and the Netherlands. These actions, while technically compliant with EU regulations, have strained relations with neighboring countries and fueled accusations of double standards.
[](https://notesfrompoland.com/2025/04/11/germany-has-returned-over-11000-migrants-to-poland-in-past-14-months/)A Groundbreaking Discovery: The Role of Technology in Border Monitoring
Amid the escalating tensions, a fascinating development has emerged from Poland that could reshape how borders are monitored. In early 2025, researchers at the Warsaw University of Technology unveiled a cutting-edge drone surveillance system designed to enhance border security. This system, developed in collaboration with the Polish Border Guard, uses advanced AI to detect and track unauthorized border crossings in real time. Unlike traditional patrols, these drones can cover vast areas, operate in low-visibility conditions, and distinguish between human and animal movements with remarkable accuracy.
In a pilot program near the Lubieszyn crossing, the drones successfully identified several unauthorized crossings, providing actionable data to Polish authorities. The technology has sparked interest across Europe, with countries like Hungary and Italy exploring similar systems. For Polish communities, this innovation offers hope that technology can bolster their efforts to secure the border without relying solely on volunteer patrols or strained diplomatic relations. However, critics warn that such surveillance must be balanced with respect for human rights and EU asylum obligations, highlighting the delicate balance between security and compassion.
Looking Ahead
As tensions at the Polish-German border continue to simmer, the broader implications for European unity and migration policy are undeniable. The incidents at Lubieszyn and Venlo underscore the challenges of balancing national sovereignty with EU cooperation. For Poland, the fight to secure its borders is not just a logistical challenge but an emotional rallying cry for a nation determined to protect its identity and safety. With innovative technologies like drone surveillance offering new solutions, there is hope that Poland can navigate this crisis while fostering dialogue with its neighbors. Yet, as long as accusations of migrant transfers and detentions persist, the path to resolution remains fraught with challenges.
По материалам: http://www.planet-today.com/2025/06/border-tensions-escalate-polish.html