Poland and the ‘Paradox’ of Immigration: Implications for Educators and Advocates

Abstract

Poland made international news with the unbelievable outpouring of support to Ukrainian refugees from both the government and the local population after the Russian invasion in 2022. As scholars, we travelled to Poland to understand more of this dynamic. Our research with activists and humanitarian workers, however, revealed a more complicated dynamic. We discovered a situation where Poland is both one of the most welcoming countries to those coming from Ukraine and one of the most restrictive on its border with Belarus with migrants coming primarily from nations such as Syria and Afghanistan. Our analysis examines this ‘paradox’ and how it relates to the larger double-standard and inequity in migration policies throughout the world. Of particular importance is the relevance of Poland to the work of immigration activists and educators as they examine the complicated nature of migration and asylum in the modern world.