The concept of Foreigner Integration Centers is not a fresh or unique idea. akin initiatives have been in place for years in Western European countries to prevent and support the marginalisation of migrants. Unfortunately, in practice it turned out that many specified programmes had the other effect.
In Germany, large-scale immigration led to closed immigrant communities, especially in cities specified as Berlin and Hamburg. The increase in crime in migrant neighbourhoods forced the authorities to revise integration policy, but it was besides late to reverse the negative effects. In France, the multicultural state policy has led to a alleged "no-go zones’ – areas where informal law applies and police interventions are rare. akin problems have been addressed by Sweden, where settlements with a majority population of migrants have been created in Malmö and Stockholm, with advanced levels of crime and social tensions.
Instead of learning from the mistakes of western neighbours, Poland decided to implement a akin integration model, assuming that the situation would not happen again in our country. However, the creation of Foreigner Integration Centres can lead to the same negative effects, especially since the mechanisms for monitoring the effective effectiveness of these centres are very limited.
How did the CIC in Poland happen?
The thought of creating the CIC came from the regulation of law and justice, erstwhile the first pilot centers in Opole and Kalisz were established. These were comparatively tiny units, financed partially by EU funds and intended for a tiny group of migrants, mainly from Ukraine. Initially, the task did not rise much controversy as it mainly afraid people who had already had a occupation and intended to stay in Poland for longer.
The situation changed in 2024 erstwhile the government decided to make 49 Centres for the Integration of Foreigners throughout the country, with locations selected according to the erstwhile administrative division of 49 provinces. This decision was made without broad public consultation and was met with immediate criticism. Not only the thought but besides the way it was implemented raised doubts: CIC management has been entrusted to NGOs, including entities that have previously opposed border protection and controlled immigration policies.
Project critics point out that the fast acceleration of the work on the CIC may be linked to the European Union's policy and the effort to implement the integration mechanisms of migrants within the broader EU Migration Pact plan. Although the government denies that the CIC was part of the EU's commitments, many elements of the task are in line with the assumptions of the migration policy pursued by Brussels. The CIC is expected to service as support for migrants, but in practice they can become part of the forced integration and legalisation of residence for a wide scope of foreigners.
Risks and negative effects of the CIC
After the presentation of the genesis of the Centers for the Integration of Foreigners (CIC), it is worth looking at the circumstantial risks and costs of their functioning. Officially, these centres are intended to support migrants in assimilation, but practice shows that akin projects in another countries have led to the other effect – deepening social divisions, creating closed immigrant enclaves and expanding social tensions and crime. Moreover, the cost of maintaining the CIC is immense and represents a crucial burden on the Polish budget, which raises questions about the legitimacy of their financing, especially in the context of economical and social problems facing Poland.
One of the biggest problems with the operation of the CIC is their cost. The government does not give precise calculations of how much the maintenance of 49 centres will take a year, but it can be estimated that this sum will be calculated in hundreds of millions of PLN. Given that the first pilot centres were co-financed by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (FAMI) and the state budget, it can be expected that further extension of the task will besides require funds from Polish taxes.
Key financial burdens related to CIC:
- Maintenance of infrastructure – rental or construction of fresh facilities, their equipment and administrative services.
- Remuneration for CIC staff – legal advisors, psychologists, Polish language teachers, integration coordinators.
- Support programmes for migrants – language courses, legal assistance, support in uncovering a job, vocational training, housing subsidies.
- Measures for social campaigns – promoting multiculturalism and integration of migrants into local communities.
These expenses rise questions: In Poland, where we have underfunded wellness care, housing crisis and problems with the education system, can we afford specified costly projects? While humanitarian aid for war refugees is justified, the financing of a permanent support strategy for economical migrants may rise serious doubts, especially erstwhile Polish citizens do not receive akin assistance.
The experience of Western European countries shows that The mass integration of foreigners does not lead to assimilation, but to the formation of closed enclaves, where immigrants live in their own world, without having to adapt to the host society. In Berlin, Paris or Stockholm, districts have been created, with the majority of the population being immigrants and the language of the host country is frequently very low.
In Poland there is simply a hazard of repeating this scenario, especially if the CIC is located in cities where there are already a large number of foreigners (e.g. Warszawa, Wrocław, Kraków). The deficiency of adequate control mechanisms will lead to the separation of migrants alternatively of integration, which will lead in the long word to the creation of closed immigrant communities. There is simply a clear correlation between immigration and increased crime in countries with a large number of migrants. An example is Sweden, where weapon offences and gang force are mostly committed by persons of immigrant origin. In France alone, any districts are practically out of control and police avoid intervention due to the hazard of riots. Poland, as an ethnically homogenous country to date, is in an exceptional situation – we have no experience in managing multiculturalism on specified a scale.
CIC and EU Migration Pact – hidden implementation?
One of the key aspects that raises controversy about the Foreigner Integration Centres (CICs) is their possible link with the EU Migration Pact. Although the government assures that the CIC is simply a continuation of the actions already launched by the erstwhile ruling squad and do not consequence from EU commitments, many elements point to their consistency with the migration policy pursued by the European Union. There are serious concerns that the CIC is the first step towards the introduction of permanent relocation mechanisms and forced integration, which Poland has avoided so far.
The rulers say The CIC is not part of the EU Migration Pact, but the continuation of integration projects implemented for respective years in Poland. However, the analysis of the content of government papers and EU regulations shows that Poland's fresh migration strategy for the period 2025–2030 mostly coincides with the EU's asylum and integration policy priorities.
CIC similarities to EU mechanisms:
- The CIC presume support for foreigners on many levels, which corresponds to EU standards for the integration of migrants.
- The financing structure is mostly based on EU funds, in peculiar the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (FAMI), which serves the implementation of EU migration policy.
- Unclear criteria for CIC beneficiaries, which raises concerns that these centres may become a tool for legalising residence not only for war refugees but besides for economical migrants.
It is besides worth noting that EU promotes forced integration policy. In many associate States, migrants are covered by mandatory integration programmes and countries that do not carry out akin activities are pressed for implementation. Poland has so far avoided these mechanisms, but the CIC can become a tool for their gradual implementation.
Possible scenarios for the future:
- Expanding the CIC to further regions and expanding their budget – which will lead to the permanent settlement of foreigners in Poland.
- Introduction of mandatory integration programmes for migrants from outside Europe – which would mean their forced assimilation, regardless of social opposition.
- Increasing the impact of the European Union on Polish migration policy – The CIC can be an argument for further adaptation to EU mechanisms.
Alternative solutions – does Poland have another way?
Given all the risks and costs associated with the CIC, it is worth considering alternate solutions in Poland's migration policy. There are also migration management methods that do not lead to negative social consequences and do not exposure the state to advanced costs.
1. Selective migration policy alternatively of mass integration
Instead of extended integration programs for all foreigners, Poland should implement selective immigration systemwhich would only attract people who are truly needed in the labour marketplace and who are willing to assimilation.
Elements of alternate migration policy:
- Strict criteria for economical migrants – e.g. point immigration system, modelled on Canadian or Australian models.
- Mandatory language and cultural tests – alternatively of open integration centres, migrants should meet certain requirements concerning cognition of Polish language and culture.
- Strengthening border protection and eliminating illegal immigration – effective control of migration should be a national priority.
2. Greater support for Polish families alternatively of CIC funding
Poland faces a serious demographic and social crisis. The appropriations for the CIS could be better utilized for:
- Family policy – increase support for Polish families to prevent population decline.
- Development of education and the labour market – alternatively of importing migrants, it is worth investing in improving the qualifications of Polish workers.
- Repatriation support – the precedence should be to facilitate the return of Poles from abroad, alternatively of financing the integration of foreigners.
Let's be clear: Poland should avoid Western errors and conduct its own sovereign migration policy, which takes into account the interests of society and does not meet the imposed EU standards.
