Values in Polish migration law in a changing reality

Abstract

The considerations presented in this paper refer to the relationship between changes in Polish migration law in the third decade of the 21st century and values. They revolve around the question of whether migration law remains axiologically stable in the rapidly changing reality, or whether significant re-evaluations are taking place within it. The first part outlines the axiology of Polish migration law, while the second part discusses the dynamics of changes that are significant from an axiological perspective, made in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the instrumentalization of migration on the Polish-Belarusian border, and the so-called ‘visa scandal’ in the Polish migration services. The considerations lead to the conclusion that migration law, as a tool for responding to the socio-political challenges associated with migration, should be designed in such a way as to ensure the necessary flexibility in changing conditions, while at the same time not undermining the axiological foundation of the entire structure.