Political Scientist: Latvia Should Not Support All of Egypt's Population

Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava has proposed a strict algorithm to identify and deport illegal immigrants who pose as asylum seekers after crossing the border illegally. He stated that asylum centers are overcrowded and that these individuals mock European humanitarianism, freely moving with knives and turning the environment into a dump.

Political scientist Filips Rajevskis, co-owner of "Mediju tilts," told BNN that Latvia decides whether to let in illegal immigrants and how to handle them. He emphasizes that immigrants abuse human rights standards and social guarantees because they could not do so in their home countries. According to Rajevskis, they have no interest in integration or work—they simply want to stay in Europe to avoid being sent back.

Illegal immigrants arrive from Somalia, Egypt, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Rajevskis notes different quality of life standards: Somalia is violent, Egypt is overpopulated with lower living standards but no war. He stresses: "We probably don't have to support all of Egypt's inhabitants. Egypt has 100 million people, and if we wanted to raise Egypt to European standards, no amount of money would suffice."

Rajevskis supports Dombrava's approach as a way to protect Latvia from Western Europe's mistakes and ensure safety on the streets. He compares Ukrainian refugees, who integrated or returned, rather than just waiting for benefits.

Regarding e-cigarettes, VID Director General Baiba Šmite-Roķe said political decisions made "for headlines" fostered smuggling. Rajevskis adds that bans do not stop usage—people buy in Lithuania or Estonia, or on the black market. The state loses control and tax revenue, while health risks from unregistered products increase.