27 Attempts to Illegally Cross Latvia-Belarus Border Prevented on Wednesday

Latvia's State Border Guard prevented 27 attempts to illegally cross the Latvia-Belarus border on Wednesday. In total, 12,281 people have been stopped from crossing the state border illegally this year, according to the published figures. That already exceeds the full-year total for the previous year. Latvia has faced pressure from illegal migrants organised by Belarus since August 2021.

Entry refusals

At the Paternieki border checkpoint, one Russian citizen was denied entry to Latvia for security reasons. At Riga airport, a Turkish citizen was refused entry because the foreign national could not justify the purpose and circumstances of the entry and stay.

Enhanced regime in the border area

The government has extended the enhanced border security regime along the Belarus border until the end of this year. The decision is based on the increased flow of illegal migrants generated by Belarus. The enhanced control regime applies to Ludza and the rural municipalities of Ludza region, Krāslava and the rural municipalities of its region, Augšdaugava region, Daugavpils, and the Kaunata rural municipality in Rēzekne region.

Figures for previous years

Last year the State Border Guard prevented 12,046 attempts to illegally cross the border, while 31 illegal migrants were not refused crossing on humanitarian grounds. In 2024, 5,388 people were deterred and 26 were admitted to the country on humanitarian grounds. In 2023, illegal crossing was prevented for 13,863 people and 428 were admitted for humanitarian reasons. In 2022, 5,286 attempts were stopped, while 217 people were not refused crossing on humanitarian grounds.