The new European Union migration pact, set to take effect in July 2026, will not solve the problem of illegal migration, according to Polish MEPs from the Law and Justice (PiS) party. They argue that it may actually intensify the practice and reduce internal security within member states, while also burdening them with the costs of relocation or financial penalties. In their view, illegal migration is part of a hybrid war aimed at Europe and must be fought more forcefully.
During her September State of the Union address, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that the next EU budget would propose tripling funds for migration management and external border protection. This, she said, means the Union will strengthen its efforts and build a system that “will be humane, but not naive.”
“We must ensure the full and complete implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact as soon as it enters into force. This pact is tough but fair. And it will only be effective if everyone contributes. This applies to member states in the North and South, East and West,” Ursula von der Leyen stated.
The migration pact is a regulation that has sparked controversy and strong opposition in Poland.
“The migration pact, which comes into force in July 2026, is dangerous. It does not solve the problem of illegal migration, but is in fact like extinguishing a fire with gasoline,” said Jadwiga Wiśniewska, PiS MEP, in an interview with Newseria. “Human traffickers into the EU have now received the signal that their business will thrive even more, bringing them greater profits, while citizens have been given the signal that the level of security in the EU will be even lower.”
The plan stipulates that member states must accept a certain number of migrants, calculated by the European Commission based on factors such as country size and GDP, or pay €20,000 for each person they refuse to relocate.
“It is absolutely unacceptable to trade the safety of citizens. We clearly state that we need immediate deportations of illegal migrants, because all those who crossed the border illegally and are not refugees are criminals,” Wiśniewska argued.
Experts warn this mechanism may be particularly burdensome for Poland, which so far has been one of the most secure EU countries in terms of effective border protection. Moreover, Poland has voluntarily taken in one million refugees from Ukraine fleeing the war. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has declared that Poland will not implement the migration pact in a way that would result in additional migrant quotas. The Polish government also opposed the adoption of the document at the EU level.
Wiśniewska stressed that the pact’s provisions will impose a double burden on member states: financial penalties for refusing to accept migrants, and the costs of maintaining those relocated. This includes housing, food, and healthcare.
“Berlin spends €2.1 billion annually on maintaining illegal migrants. The question is whether Poland can afford to maintain guests we did not invite and spend such enormous sums? These funds will come from the state budget, meaning there will be less for Polish citizens—for education, healthcare, and social services. This is absolutely a road to nowhere; we need an effective migration policy,” Wiśniewska emphasized.
Von der Leyen has pledged to step up efforts to combat human traffickers, including working with social media platforms to block smuggling-related offers, cooperating with airlines—especially on problematic routes such as those from Belarus—tracking financial flows, and introducing a new sanctions regime targeting smugglers and traffickers.
“We must take returns of those denied asylum seriously. It cannot be the case that only 20% of people without the right to stay in Europe actually leave. We therefore need a swift agreement on a common European return system. We cannot lose any more time,” von der Leyen said.
The European Commission notes that although over 400,000 foreigners without residence rights in the EU are ordered to leave each year, only about 20% are deported. Most EU member states and Norway run Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration programs, which support voluntary returns with reintegration assistance.
Wiśniewska pointed to Sweden as an example of the difficulties in implementing return policies.
“Sweden’s prime minister said very clearly that migration policy has failed. Previously, Sweden offered €90,000 to each illegal migrant willing to return home, and there were no takers. Now they are talking about €320,000, and still no one wants to go back. This is simply a very difficult situation,” she said.
Frontex data shows that while the number of illegal border crossings into the EU dropped in 2024 to 239,000—a 38% decrease compared with the previous year—the migratory pressure remains. The biggest declines were recorded on the Western Balkan and Central Mediterranean routes, but attempts to cross the eastern border—particularly from Belarus—increased by as much as 192%. Politicians stress that migratory pressure is often used for political purposes.
“We must link the migration crisis to hybrid warfare escalated by Putin, especially on the eastern border,” Wiśniewska said. “The rise in illegal migration is part of a plan to destabilize the European Union, and it is happening before our eyes.”
European politicians increasingly warn that the unprecedented inflow of migrants poses a threat to Europe’s security and identity.
“The migration crisis triggered by Angela Merkel in 2015 has in fact struck at Europe’s identity and caused the Islamization of the European Union,” said Wiśniewska. “Illegal migrants do not assimilate, they isolate themselves in their communities, they are not interested in integrating with European culture, and what’s more—they want to impose their Islamic culture on us, introduce sharia law.”
She pointed to the activities of the Belgian political party Islam as an example.
“The birth rate among illegal migrants is very high—many times higher than that of native Europeans. If we do not get this under control, if we do not stop it, then in two or three decades we will have an Islamic Europe,” Wiśniewska warned.
