Poland Tightens Access to 'Pole's Card' Program, Affecting Eligibility for Thousands

Major Overhaul Planned for the 'Pole's Card'

According to Главком: The Polish government is preparing a significant reform of the 'Pole's Card' legislation, which will substantially narrow the pool of eligible applicants. According to Polish media reports citing the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, the changes aim to make the application process more stringent. The government intends to adopt the new rules in the first half of this year. The 'Pole's Card' is a document that confirms a person's belonging to the Polish nation and grants certain rights to non-citizens of Polish origin.

Key Legislative Changes

The primary proposed changes include:

• Eliminating the option to obtain the card based on a certificate from a Polish organization confirming three years of activity promoting Polish culture or the minority community.
• Removing the possibility of receiving the card for 'special merits to Poland' if the applicant lacks documented proof of Polish ancestry.
• Restricting access to the document for individuals who have previously renounced Polish citizenship.

Another key change involves revising the financial assistance scheme. Currently, aid is paid out over the first nine months of residence in Poland, but the new proposal is for a single payment to be made after the holder obtains a permanent residence permit. Furthermore, a fee will be introduced for processing applications for the card's issuance, renewal, or replacement.

In a separate but related development, Polish border guards have reported discovering underground tunnels beneath the border with Belarus. One of the largest tunnels was found near the village of Narewka in eastern Poland in mid-December. It is believed the tunnel was used by approximately 180 migrants, predominantly from Afghanistan and Pakistan. Most were detained after emerging on Polish territory. The tunnel, about 1.5 meters high, had its entrance on the Belarusian side concealed in a forest and was reinforced with concrete supports.

The proposed reforms to the 'Pole's Card' could significantly impact migration patterns in Poland by limiting access to this document for potential applicants. This reflects a broader trend by Polish authorities to tighten control over migration processes, particularly amid increased migratory pressures from neighboring regions. The discovery of the smuggling tunnels underscores the persistent challenges of illegal border crossings, presenting an additional operational hurdle for Polish border security and government agencies.