Poland has officially reinstated temporary border controls along its frontiers with Germany and Lithuania, escalating its security measures in response to migration trends. Starting Monday, the Polish Border Guard is mandated to conduct checks at 16 points on the Polish-German border and three along the Lithuanian boundary. This move, confirmed by Polish Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration Tomasz Siemoniak, underscores a significant shift towards a more stringent migration policy.

While Poland remains committed to the principle of free movement within Europe, the government asserts that the current migration situation necessitates these heightened security measures to safeguard public interest and national security. The controls at the Lithuanian border have been specifically implemented to curb the influx of illegal migrants entering Poland, a situation exacerbated by Lithuania's comparatively lenient migration policies, according to Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Germany has shown support for Poland’s decision, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz endorsing the symmetrical approach to migration controls. This mutual support highlights the growing trend of stricter migration and asylum policies across Europe.

Despite the Schengen Agreement and the EU's commitment to free movement, outlined in Article 77 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, member states retain the right to enforce temporary border controls in cases of serious security threats. These measures are meant to be exceptional and short-term, although extensions are not uncommon, as evidenced by Germany's prolonged border controls since 2023.

Germany's recent statistics reveal a sharp decrease in asylum applications, indicating the effectiveness of its stringent border policies. In pursuit of a unified European approach to migration, Germany's Federal Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, has organized a summit involving several EU countries to forge a collective strategy for tougher migration regulations.

This reinforcement of border controls by Poland marks a critical point in Europe’s ongoing struggle to balance security concerns with the ideals of free movement, reflecting a broader continental trend towards tightening borders in response to complex migration challenges.