Defense ministry wants to gather information on foreigners in Poland

Polish defense ministry asked the local authorities in Zachodniopomorskie voivodship to provide information on foreigners living there. According to the ministry this is a “standard procedure.” Deputy Defense Minister Michał Dworczyk argued that “It's a natural thing, taking into consideration the situation in the European Union today, that the state should have information on foreign nationals on Poland's territory,” deputy minister Michał Dworczyk explained the request. He argued that attacks in recent years were carried out by people who “either came to Europe as illegal migrants, or by members of new generation of migrants living in Europe.” According to opposition and NGOs such move is “fearmongering.” “It's aimed to generate fear and uncertainty, which the Law and Justice wants to use to its advantage. Civic Platform MP Sławomir Nitras said. Others argue that such information is gathered during the public census, so additional queries are not needed. The ministry did not specify if such requests have been made in other voivodships.