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Migrants battle border limitations

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Germany temporarily closed its border with Austria until the European Union finds a solution for the influx of migrants.

Germany stopped trains with Austrian refugees on Sunday, Sept. 13. A German international broadcasting organization, train passengers from Westbahnhof, refugee and non -refugee passengers included, had difficulties getting to Germany after the announcement of border controls, according to Deutsche Welle. This situation caused confusion to other countries after the unexpected decision.

Dean of the soderquist college of business, Joe Walenciak, explained that the situation is a complicated issue with the need for a balance between political and humanitarian work.

The decision created tension among the countries that are part of the Schengen Agreement. This agreement guaranteed the free movement of people between countries in the European Union except for Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reports that Germany has received the highest number of asylum applications, with more than 188,000 million by the end of July 2015 and 15,416 million more than last year.

Senior international business and business management major, Marilyn Perez, expressed that Germany is in its right to impose rules to control the situation.

“I think Germany is not only trying to protect the socioeconomic interests of the country but also to protect its citizens and the refugees it already has,” Perez said.

According to Reuters, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière said that the people who will be allowed to enter the country are European Union citizens and those who had valid documents. He also said that refugees cannot choose the states to where they will seek protection.

After the sudden decision, refugees desperately tried to enter Germany illegally through other country’s borders.

Senior international business and management major, Walter Hernandez, expressed that although refugees are trying to seek a better life, “it is not an excuse to be a refugee to try to infringe the law in another country.”

On Sept. 16 Austria fired tear gas and water cannons at the Roszke border in order to prevent migrants who wanted to cross into Hungary illegally. According to Deutsche Welle, many migrants were trapped in Horgos, Serbia, and many of them tried to make their way to Germany or other wealthy countries in Western Europe.

Austria, Slovakia, Croatia, France and the Netherlands introduced border controls following Germany’s actions.

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