Thousands of people from Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya--all countries that are currently experiencing severe political upheaval--are fleeing to Europe, mostly through Italy's conveniently located borders. Italy has for the most part been obliging, accepting in thousands of these fleeing refugees and giving them proper travel papers to continue their journey. However, countries to the north, particularly France, are not as accepting of this recent influx. In the latest move to deter Italy's pandering, France has blocked trains from Italy. This action is in direct violation of the EU's Schengen passport-free travel zone. Normally the European Union acts much like the United States, where anyone in the country--in this case continent--can travel freely across borders once they have been originally accepted inside. The most travelers encounter when crossing borders between states within the European Union is a sign informing them they have crossed into a new country. It will be interesting to see how this situation will play out and if it will develop into harsher border control between countries in the future.
-Abbey Smith
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