More illegal migrants stopped on Latvia–Belarus border this year than in all of last year
Latvian border guards have prevented 12,083 people from illegally crossing the Latvia–Belarus border this year, exceeding the full-year figure for last year. The State Border Guard gave the data to the news agency LETA.
The number of illegal migrants stopped on the Latvia–Belarus border this year has surpassed the total for all of last year, the State Border Guard, the agency that protects Latvia's borders, told the news agency LETA. The figures matter because they show that pressure on Latvia's eastern border has not eased.
The figures
Over the past three days, border guards prevented 94 attempts by people to cross the border illegally from the Belarusian side. In total, 12,083 people have been deterred from crossing the border unlawfully this year.
Last year the figure for the entire year was 12,046 people, while 31 illegal migrants were admitted to the country on humanitarian grounds. In 2024, 5,388 people were stopped from crossing illegally, and 26 were admitted on humanitarian grounds.
Reinforced regime in the border area
The government earlier extended the reinforced border security regime in the area bordering Belarus until the end of this year. It was introduced because of the increased flow of illegal migrants created by Belarus.
The heightened control regime applies in Ludza and the rural municipalities of Ludza district, in Krāslava and the rural municipalities of Krāslava district, in Augšdaugava district, in Daugavpils, and in Kaunata rural municipality of Rēzekne district.
