Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced that he has instructed Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski to ensure that Polish consulates in the United States are prepared for the possible deportation of Polish illegal immigrants following President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Speaking ahead of a government meeting on Tuesday, Tusk emphasized the need for Poland to be ready for any consequences stemming from Trump’s anticipated crackdown on illegal immigration and encouraged Poles living in the U.S. to consider returning to their homeland.
His remarks come after Trump signed multiple executive orders on his first day back in the Oval Office, including one declaring a national border emergency in which he vowed to ramp up deportations of those living unlawfully in the United States.
“After the first announcements regarding possible deportations of illegal immigrants from the United States, I asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs to prepare our consulates, posts, and services in the United States for the possible consequences of these decisions in relation to Poles working and living in the United States with different status and levels of legality,” said Tusk.
Tusk acknowledged that the U.S. administration has yet to provide specifics on how the deportation policy would be implemented or whether Polish citizens would be among those affected.
“We have not received information on whether this operation may affect Polish citizens staying in the United States. Either way, we must be prepared, which is why our facilities in the United States will reach out to our citizens as quickly as possible, ensuring they feel safe amid this situation,” he stated.
The prime minister reassured Poles abroad that there would always be room for them at home.
“There may be no reason for concern, but Poland will be well-prepared for any situation. Every Pole will be warmly welcomed in the country. Everyone will find a place in their homeland. Everyone will find their America here. A lot has changed in recent years. Everyone who wants to work, who believes in their own future, their own strength, will find a suitable place in Poland. We will welcome all of them with open arms,” said Tusk.
Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration was not unexpected. He has long championed tougher border policies on the campaign trail, vowing to continue with the restrictive policy enforced during his first term in the White House.
“Moments after my inauguration, we will launch the largest deportation operation in American history,” he said previously.
While many assume this will primarily focus on the chaos at the southern border with Mexico, other nations are now expressing their desire to be prepared to accept repatriations.
Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, for example, how the Indian government was planning to accept 18,000 of its nationals living in the U.S. illegally in an attempt to demonstrate a willingness to engage with the Trump administration over fear that failure to do so could jeopardize visa applications for those wishing to enter the country legitimately.
