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Lithuania’s interior minister-designate, Martynas Katelynas, stated Monday that the government may temporarily restore border controls with Latvia to curb rising secondary illegal migration. According to Ministry of the Interior data, the number of migrants moving from Latvia into Lithuania during the first half of this year has quadrupled compared to the same period in 2024, climbing from approximately 300 to over 1,200 people.
Potential for Border Restrictions
Katelynas described the possible implementation of border controls as a “nuclear” option, but noted that it could become necessary if current methods to manage migrant flows fail. If enacted, these restrictions would mirror measures introduced by Poland last summer on its borders with Lithuania and Germany, which resulted in significant traffic delays. The minister-designate warned that the situation could become difficult to manage “quite quickly,” potentially necessitating immediate, additional government action.
Did You Know? Since the onset of the migration crisis orchestrated by Belarus, Lithuanian border guards have prevented a total of 25,500 foreigners attempting to enter the country illegally.
Operational Strain and Regional Cooperation
The rise in secondary migration has placed substantial pressure on Lithuanian resources. Katelynas explained that the readmission process is complex, requiring border guards to manage documentation, verification, and the accommodation of detainees. These administrative requirements create an “overburdened” system, according to the minister-designate. He noted that many migrants are detained on the Riga-Warsaw bus route while carrying forged documents.
Managing Migration Flows
While Lithuania continues to support Latvian border guards, Katelynas emphasized that Latvia must demonstrate greater initiative in managing its own borders. Data indicates that 6,600 illegal migrants have attempted to enter Latvia this year, with those individuals either being turned away or returned to Belarus. In contrast, Lithuanian guards have prevented 900 illegal entries from Belarus so far in 2024. Katelynas suggested that the issue might require attention at the European Union level to ensure consistent management across the bloc.
Frequently Asked Questions
[Why is Lithuania considering border controls?]
Lithuania is considering the move because secondary migration flows from Latvia have quadrupled in the first half of this year, rising from roughly 300 to more than 1,200 people.
[How have previous border restrictions affected the region?]
When Poland introduced similar measures on its borders with Lithuania and Germany last summer, it resulted in vehicle queues lasting several kilometers during weekends.
[What is the current status of migrant attempts at the Lithuanian-Belarusian border?]
Lithuanian border guards have prevented 900 migrants from entering from Belarus so far this year, contributing to a total of 25,500 prevented entries since the start of the crisis.
Do you believe that regional border restrictions are an effective long-term solution for managing migration flows within the European Union?
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