Sorry, We’re Closed

Citizens of 25 European nations can cross those borders freely without delay, thanks to the Schengen Agreement of 1985, which abolished internal borders in lieu of a single external border and applies common rules on visas and border controls. But with unrest in North Africa, illegal immigration to Europe has climbed, and leaders of Italy and France have called for temporary imposition of border controls, reports Leo Cendrowicz for Time. More than 25,000 Tunisians and Libyans have landed at Lampedusa since January – and mass tent camps on the tiny Italian island, population 5000, symbolize European fears about unchecked immigration overwhelming community resources. Italy called for EU assistance and then granted temporary permits that gave Schengen access to the Tunisian arrivals, prompting complaints and round-ups from France. Ending Europe’s open borders could be costly, complicating travel for tourists and Europeans while doing little to deter the desperate migrants. – YaleGlobal