EU to make it harder for migrants to enter from Belarus

By LORNE COOK
Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) — Top European Union migration officials have offered to ease the asylum procedures for Poland, Lithuania and Latvia in response to what the EU has called a “hybrid attack” by Belarus to destabilize the bloc using migrants and refugees. The EU migration officials proposed allowing Poland, Lithuania and Latvia for six months to extend the required time for registering asylum applications to up to four weeks. Applications would only be accepted at dedicated border crossing points. The three countries would also be able fast track their deportation procedures. Charity groups and lawmakers said the revised procedures would amount to legalizing “pushbacks,” the act of denying people their right to apply for asylum, often using force.