Latvian Interior Ministry to Propose Extending Reinforced Border Security Regime Until December

The Latvian Interior Ministry (IeM) will propose to the government to extend the special reinforced border security regime on Latvia's eastern border until December this year. Currently, the regime is in effect until June 30.

The ministry cites several reasons for the extension. First, there continue to be attempts to illegally cross the state border, with the highest migration pressure on the Latvia-Belarus border section. Second, the possibility of hybrid threats and provocative actions remains, along with risks of smuggling and other cross-border crimes. Third, it is necessary to ensure continuous readiness of the border guard services.

To prevent people from entering the country through unauthorized locations and to stop illegal entry attempts, the IeM believes the border security system's operational regime needs to be prolonged.

Statistics show that this year up to last week, 5,741 people were prevented from illegally crossing the border. For comparison, last year the State Border Guard prevented 12,046 attempts to illegally cross the Belarus-Latvia border, while 31 illegal migrants were allowed entry on humanitarian grounds. In 2024, 5,388 people were turned away, and 26 were admitted for humanitarian reasons.