Estonia intensifies border controls with Latvia amid migrant influx

Estonia has intensified border controls with Latvia following a sharp increase in undocumented migrants. The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) reported that 41 individuals were detained last week after illegally entering the country from Latvia.

Authorities are conducting frequent checks on vehicles and individuals at transportation hubs, including the Valga railway station, and have instructed hotels and bus companies to report suspicious activity. Igor Bogdanov, head of the patrol service for the Southeast Division, noted that the migration pressure is likely caused by Belarus. Detained individuals have included citizens from Somalia, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Since July, Estonia has detained nearly 200 foreign nationals without legal basis, many of whom traveled from Belarus through Latvia. Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro characterized the situation as waves of migration orchestrated by another state. The influx is placing significant strain on the Tallinn Administrative Court, which must approve all detention requests, and on local child protection services due to the number of migrants claiming to be minors.