Brussels, 29/08/2011 (Agence Europe) - Poland announced on Friday that it is to grant an amnesty to over 50,000 illegal immigrants, applying a law passed by the parliament at the end of July, AFP reports. Under the terms of this law, which will come into force at the start of January 2012, migrants who submit applications will be granted a 2-year residence permit and the right to work in Poland. “We want Poland to be an open, hospitable and friendly country for those looking for the opportunity of a better life here”, Polish President Bronis³aw Komorowski said on Friday.
The amnesty applies to foreign nationals residing in Poland illegally since at least 20 December 2007, and to illegal migrants who were refused refugee status before 1 January 2010, but continued to stay in Poland, AFP continues. The illegal immigrants in Poland, a member of the Schengen area, are principally Ukrainians. These are followed by Georgians, Chechens, Armenians and even Vietnamese. (S.P./transl.rt)