Poles push back: Nationwide protests target immigration in over 80 cities

On Saturday, July 19, anti-immigration protests swept across Poland, with demonstrations held in over 80 cities—including major urban centers like Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, Poznan, and Bialystok.

Organized under the slogan "Stop Immigration," the rallies reflect mounting public dissatisfaction with the country's migration policies and growing concerns about national security.

A significant portion of the Polish population is now calling for the closure of borders with neighboring countries—Belarus, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Ukraine. These demands are fueled by two key concerns: first, allegations that the Belarusian government is deliberately facilitating the movement of migrants into Poland as a form of hybrid warfare; and second, a broader belief that increasing migration has contributed to a decline in public safety and rising crime rates within Poland.

At one of the rallies, Krzysztof Bosak, a prominent leader in the nationalist Confederation (Konfederacja) party, delivered a pointed speech:

“Without closing Poland to illegal immigration, without initiating a large-scale deportation effort, without abandoning political correctness, without equipping the Border Guard and relevant authorities to enforce residency laws, and without establishing control over the labor market, our national security will continue to erode.”

This surge in public unrest comes at a politically sensitive time for Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Once a fierce critic of the Law and Justice (PiS) party’s nationalist stance and a vocal supporter of EU-aligned policies, Tusk now finds himself working to assure Polish voters that he is equally committed to securing the country’s borders.

A government spokesperson recently stated that the administration is taking steps to address public concerns, though critics argue the measures are too little, too late.

Despite a handful of small counter-protests organized by left-leaning groups, the dominant sentiment among demonstrators appeared unified and urgent: many Poles feel their government has lost control over who is entering the country, and they fear for the safety and stability of their communities.

POLAND - Anti-immigration protests sweep the country

This anxiety has prompted the Polish government to introduce partial border controls—specifically on crossings with Germany and Lithuania—beginning July 7. However, these measures have done little to calm public fears.

In fact, critics argue that such steps, while symbolically important, have undermined the principles of the EU’s Schengen Zone without delivering meaningful improvements in domestic security.

The protests in Poland mirror similar movements across Europe, where debates over immigration, border control, and national identity have become increasingly central to political discourse. As governments struggle to balance humanitarian obligations with public safety, citizens across the continent are voicing their frustration—and in Poland, those voices are getting louder.