European authorities are examining a notable rise in people entering the European Union irregularly from the Middle East, with routes that traverse Russia and Belarus drawing particular scrutiny. The information appears in a report cited by Bild, drawing on material from German police investigations. The focus is on how migration patterns are shifting and what this means for border management and regional policy in the near term.
According to the official document, at the external borders of the European Union, authorities blocked 22.5 thousand illegal entries in March this year, a figure that marks a 60 percent increase compared with March 2022. For the first three months of the year, 19.6 thousand illegal entry attempts were recorded in Germany, with 6.6 thousand occurring in March alone. The majority of the new arrivals originate from countries in the region surrounding Poland, including Syria, Afghanistan, and Turkey, illustrating a broad geographic spread of travelers seeking refuge or better opportunities within the EU.
Police investigators contend that a substantial portion of these migrants secured Russian visas before traveling through Russia and entering Belarus. From there, several groups allegedly crossed into the European Union without authorization, moving onward to Germany via Poland and the Czech Republic. The route is reportedly promoted on social networks, indicating a coordinated and increasingly visible online presence that helps prospective migrants navigate the journey and understand which borders are most perilous to cross and which checkpoints may prove more permissive.
From a policy perspective, the European Commission has acknowledged the strain migration can place on member states and on internal coordination mechanisms. In a public statement, former EC President Ursula von der Leyen indicated that the Commission is prepared to mobilize additional funding to address migration-related challenges. Specifically, she highlighted an allocation of 110 million euros for 2023 to support measures aimed at border management, asylum processing, and humanitarian assistance. The goal behind this funding is to strengthen operational capacity, improve data sharing among agencies, and bolster support networks for those who qualify for protection under EU asylum rules.
Observers note that this evolving situation requires a multi-faceted response. Border guards are increasingly focused on tracking cross-border movements that bypass conventional entry points, while national authorities in member states are refining risk assessment, surveillance, and rapid processing procedures to prevent backlogs at reception centers. Simultaneously, humanitarian considerations remain central to the debate, as officials seek to balance security objectives with the obligation to safeguard vulnerable individuals who are fleeing conflict or persecution. The interplay between security policy and humanitarian law continues to guide decision-making at the EU level, prompting ongoing discussions about asylum systems, readmission agreements, and regional cooperation with neighboring countries and transit states.
Analysts stress the importance of accurate data collection and transparent reporting to avoid misinterpretation of trends. The figures cited by police sources emphasize the volatility of irregular migration flows and the need for timely, evidence-based responses. At the same time, lawmakers are examining how to address root causes in countries of origin, including instability, economic hardship, and safety concerns, to reduce incentives for dangerous journeys. The overall objective remains to manage migration in a way that protects communities, upholds international obligations, and supports orderly and fair asylum procedures across the union.