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File Name | S21-Policy-NCFCA-28-NEG-BorderControls.docx |
File Size | 215.07 KB |
Date added | February 22, 2021 |
Category | Archived |
Tags | Debate, NCFCA, Policy, Season 21 |
Author | Vance Trefethen |
The “Schengen Agreement” (1990’s) allowed (most) EU countries (and a few neighbors) to abolish permanent border control checkpoints internally within Europe. For example, you can travel from Spain to France to Belgium in a car or train and never have to stop and present a passport or be inspected at any borders (just like passing between states in the USA). The countries covered by this arrangement are called the “Schengen Area.” It greatly sped up travel, tourism, and trade by eliminating time consuming delays and costs of waiting at all the many borders of small European countries. Schengen already today allows countries to put back “temporary” border controls in cases of emergency or crisis (like terrorism or mass movement of migrants). Some EU countries have done just that, in response to immigration pressures and terrorism threats. The AFF plan would modify EU policy to allow Schengen countries to restore permanent internal border controls – effectively ending the Schengen Agreement. [Note: ‘internal’ controls are borders between countries within Europe. External controls already exist today and are the control points for initial entrance into Europe for people coming from outside places like Africa or America. For example, border controls between Greece and Turkey, or customs inspections required for international travelers landing at airports in Paris or Berlin.]
The effect of ending Schengen would be about the same as the effect of the 50 states in the US putting up checkpoints at all the roads near their state borders and at their airports to screen and inspect the passports and cars of every person coming in. In other words, massive costs, delays, hassles and waste of time.