Branches of the Office for Foreigners across Poland are failing to adequately provide services to foreigners according to a newly released report by the Supreme Audit Office.
The report by the Najwyższa Izba Kontroli or NIK, goes on to state that offices lack efficient, reliable and timely service provision due to staffing shortages and insufficient funding.

According to the NIK audit, the amount of time to obtain karta pobytu, or the formal legalization of stay in Poland, has increased fourfold over the past four years, from an average of 64 to 206 days.

In Pomerania, the situation is even worse. In 2014, it took 76 days, or less than 3 months to issue a decision – in 2018 it took 316 days, or nearly 10.5 months, In principle, the karty pobytu procedure should be completed within 90 days.

According to Marcin Tymiński, a press officer from the Pomeranian Voivodeship, “the situation is continually improving…We have more and more [applications]” emphasizes Tymiński, “but at the same time we issue decisions more quickly.” The office plans on hiring additional workers as well as moving to a new building to facilitate better service provision.

From 2014 to 2018, foreigners submitted a total of nearly 732 thousand applications for legalization of stay in Poland. At the beginning of 2019, over 372,000 foreigners had valid documents confirming their right to reside in Poland.

The full report is available (in Polish) here: https://www.nik.gov.pl/aktualnosci/panstwo-niegotowe-na-cudzoziemcow.html

Source: Radio Gdańsk
https://radiogdansk.pl/wiadomosci/item/98567-urzedy-w-polsce-maja-problem-z-obsluga-obcokrajowcow-jest-specjalny-raport-my-sprawdzamy-sytuacje-na-pomorzu

Polish government raises threat alert level before visit by US President

A low level threat alert has been activated across Poland in anticipation of visits by the US President and other officials to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II.

The Polish government announced on Tuesday that the ALFA alert level introduced throughout the country will be in force from Wednesday, August 28, 2019 to Tuesday, September 3, 2019.

Officials stressed that the measure is preventative and not unprecedented, as it has been activated before in anticipation of major events such as World Youth Day in Kraków and the COP24 climate summit in Katowice.

Residents are asked to pay special attention to any suspicious activities –such as unusual behavior, packages, bags or backpacks left unattended in public places, and strange vehicles parked near public gathering places– and report these to the police by dialing 112 or 997.

Source: Radio Gdańsk
https://radiogdansk.pl/wiadomosci/item/98637-alarm-antyterrorystyczny-na-terenie-calego-kraju-jest-zwiazany-z-obchodami-wybuchu-ii-wojny-swiatowej-i-wizyta-prezydenta-usa

City of Gdańsk commemorates 80 years since last Kindertransport

Gdańsk city authorities gathered this week to commemorate 80 years since the last Kindertransport departed from what was then the Free City of Danzig.

“This is the day when we remember not only those who left but also those who were saved,” remarked Jakub Skrzypczak, a local artist and member of the Jewish community in Gdańsk. “In addition to praying for the dead, we will also say a prayer of thanksgiving and a prayer for peace,” he continued.

Prior to the outbreak of World War II, an organised rescue effort was made to save children in Nazi-occupied areas of Europe and bordering countries. The first Kindertransport from the Free City of Gdańsk left on May 3, 1939 with the last group departing August 25. Escaping children were sent all over the world, including Palestine, China, and Australia, with some 10,000 being sent to the UK alone. The decision to migrate was frequently the only survival option, and these children were often the only members of their families to survive the Holocaust.

According to Michał Samet, chairman of the Board of the Jewish Religious Community in Gdańsk, 150 children from the area were saved due to Kindertransports, “a message that even in such difficult times, there will be people who want to help save [others], often at a great cost,” he remarked.

Source: Radio Gdańsk
https://radiogdansk.pl/wiadomosci/item/98652-od-ostatniego-kindertransportu-z-gdanska-minelo-80-lat-wladze-miasta-upamietnily-przedwojenne-wydarzenia

Celebrate 30 years of freedom tonight at the Round Table Swing Dance Party

The European Solidarity Center invites you to a night of dancing and live music under the stars in celebration of 30 years of freedom and solidarity.

The evening will start off with a basic lesson in the lindy hop courtesy of instructors Agnieszka and Konrad, followed by a demonstration by dancers from the Swing Revolution Tri-City dance school.

Live music will be provided by traditional jazz street band The Cajun Spices, the only band in Poland “created by dancers with dancers in mind.”

Lessons start promptly at 7pm at the Round Table in front of the fountain at the European Solidarity Center and entrance is free.

For more information, visit the event page at: www.facebook.com/events/1212405752273240/