Poland’s immigration enforcement under strain with 31,000 awaiting deportation

Polish authorities are grappling with a growing backlog of deportation cases, with over 31,000 foreign nationals currently listed as “undesirable persons” required to leave the country.

The figure represents a twofold increase compared to 2021, signaling a deepening crisis in Poland’s immigration enforcement system, Caliber.Az reports, citing Polish media.

Despite intensified efforts, the number of enforced deportations remains limited. Since the beginning of 2025, only 1,100 foreigners have been forcibly expelled, a figure that—while higher than in previous years—still falls significantly short of addressing the scale of the issue.

“Since the beginning of 2025, 1,100 foreigners have been forcibly expelled from Poland. This is more than in previous years, but the number is still disproportionately low in relation to the scale of the problem,” the report says.

The data underscores a persistent gap between deportation orders and their execution, raising concerns about legal bottlenecks, logistical constraints, and potential political ramifications.

The largest segments of the so-called “undesirable” group are comprised of nationals from countries affected by conflict or economic instability. According to the report, the top four nationalities facing deportation are: Ukrainians – 5,900; Georgians – 4,200; Syrians – 2,500; Afghans – 2,400.

The presence of such large numbers of Ukrainian and Georgian nationals reflects the broader regional migration trends that have intensified in recent years, particularly in the wake of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and instability in the South Caucasus. Meanwhile, the high numbers of Syrians and Afghans are consistent with continued displacement from long-standing conflicts and humanitarian crises.

By Vafa Guliyeva