Latvian authorities have reported an increase in detected attempts by asylum seekers and third-country nationals to depart Latvia illegally via Riga International Airport in recent months.
Border Security Tightens Amid Rising Cases
According to a statement from the Latvian State Border Guard on January 19th, 26 asylum seekers have been apprehended at Riga Airport’s border control trying to travel to other European Union states, mainly France, Germany, and the Netherlands, using false or borrowed travel documents.
Additionally, dozens of asylum seekers have been found at the Schengen terminal attempting to leave the country with only their asylum seeker papers.
“To prevent illegal crossing of the State border, border guards shall intensify the profiling of passengers both at the Schengen terminal of the border inspection post of Riga airport and at the sea ports of Riga and Ventspils,” the Border Guard said.
They also plan to boost immigration oversight near internal borders.
Exploiting Asylum Procedures
The Border Guard believes many third-country nationals entering Latvia either illegally or legally for humanitarian reasons to seek asylum are not planning to stay long-term.
“These persons abuse the asylum procedure because Latvia is only a transit country and their final destination is other Member States of the European Union,” their statement read.
So far this year, 39 asylum seekers have left their Latvian asylum centers without permission.
This number is up from 1,529 total cases in 2023.
Ongoing Border Security Efforts
Border Guard officials remain active in their efforts to curb illegal migration.
On January 17th, they reported apprehending nine border trespassers at external borders, banning two for security reasons.
Another was detained for lacking proper documentation and faced administrative penalties.
Additionally, patrols within Latvia netted one Russian and one Estonian for violating entry and residence rules.
So far in 2024, five illegal border crossing attempts have been foiled by the Border Guard.
The recent uptick at Riga Airport comes as Latvia takes a harder line on immigration issues.
Last week, Latvian authorities started notifying Russians failing to meet residency requirements to leave the country.
Latvia has also discussed closing its border to Russia alongside fellow Baltic states Estonia and Lithuania over migrant influx concerns.
Looming ETIAS Rollout Adds Complexity
The anticipated May 2025 launch of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) visa waiver program promises to introduce further complexity for third-country nationals looking to enter and travel within Europe’s Schengen Area.
Once implemented, even eligible visitors like those from the UK and the US will need pre-approved ETIAS documentation for short Schengen stays under 90 days.
With Latvia already blocking asylum seekers based on residency and security issues, the border situation could become even more challenging after ETIAS takes effect.
Crackdowns Could Influence Future EU Policies
As Latvia enacts tighter immigration policies, its actions could reverberate across Europe.
With Estonia and Lithuania possibly following suit by closing borders to Russia, the moves highlight concerns over mass migration stemming from the EU’s eastern flank.
By taking a hardline stance, Latvia now finds itself positioned to help shape the broader EU conversation on immigration issues.
Its policy decisions could influence other member states dealing with entry application backlogs, asylum seeker volume spikes, and questions over long-term residency and work permits.
A Path Forward
As Latvia contends with escalating rates of immigration violations at Riga Airport and beyond its borders, government officials have signaled no intentions to deviate from their rigid stance.
With bans, deportation orders, and the potential closure of borders to Russia on the table, asylum seekers looking to transit through Latvia may find their options increasingly limited.
However, the crackdowns could also spur cooperation opportunities between Latvia and other EU states wrestling with immigration challenges.
As the situation evolves, all sides will need to work collectively to formulate ethical solutions that balance security imperatives, human rights, and international law.