Latvia Stops 14 Illegal Border Crossing Attempts from Belarus on Monday

Latvia's State Border Guard reported that on Monday it prevented 14 attempts by migrants to illegally enter the country from Belarus. The figures matter because pressure on the European Union's external border with Belarus remains higher this year than in previous years.

According to the border guard, 12,097 people have been deterred from crossing the border unlawfully since the start of the year. The news agency LETA had already reported that the number of illegal migrants stopped on the Latvian-Belarusian border this year has exceeded last year's level.

Comparison with earlier years

Last year, 12,046 people were prevented from crossing over the whole year, while 31 illegal migrants were admitted to Latvia on humanitarian grounds. In 2024, 5,388 people were stopped from crossing the border unlawfully, and 26 people were admitted to the country on humanitarian grounds.

Reinforced regime in the border area

The government has extended the enhanced border security regime in the area bordering Belarus until the end of this year. The decision was made because of the elevated flow of illegal migrants created by Belarus.

The reinforced control regime applies to Ludza and the rural parishes of Ludza municipality, Krāslava and the rural parishes of Krāslava municipality, Augšdaugava municipality, Daugavpils, and the Kaunata parish of Rēzekne municipality.