On Tuesday, Nov. 18, Poland’s Border Guard announced that the prior Monday saw zero illegal crossing attempts—an event not seen since the early 2021 migrant crisis.
Zero Illegal Crossings Reported for First Time Since 2021
The Border Guard released its statement on Nov. 18, noting that on Monday, no attempts to illegally enter Poland were recorded. The report marked the first such clean day in years.
Since the beginning of the year, Polish authorities have logged more than 27,000 attempts to breach the Polish‑Belarusian border, a figure that underscores the ongoing migrant crisis that started in 2021.
Entry/Exit System Launched at Bobrowniki Crossing
Starting at 14:00 on Monday, Nov. 17, the Bobrowniki border crossing implemented a new Entry/Exit system that collects biometric data—fingerprints and facial photographs—from foreigners entering Poland and the European Union.
The Bobrowniki crossing is one of two points, alongside Kuźnica Białostocka, opened on Monday after Poland had previously closed its borders with Belarus amid escalating provocations.
Enhanced Identification Boosts Border Security
Under the new system, the Border Guard will collect fingerprint data and take facial photos, a measure highlighted by regional commander Sławomir Klekotka. He said this will allow rapid verification of travelers’ identities.
Combined with modern identification techniques, physical and electronic barriers, and a larger presence of Border Guard officers, the security level was raised sufficiently to reopen the Bobrowniki and Kuźnica Białostocka crossings.