There were emotional and anxious scenes at the U.S.-Mexico border last week, when some of the world’s busiest border crossings fully opened for the first time in 20 months. Loved ones were able to reunite, shoppers could stock up at their favorite stores, and travelers of all kinds were able to transit between the two countries.

Although travel deemed essential had been allowed throughout the pandemic, that often did not include family and friends wanting to attend birthday parties, weddings, and myriad other social events. Travelers could often make journeys for nonessential purposes if they traveled by air from points in the countries’ interiors, but not by land. This situation had created a bitterly ironic situation in which tightknit cross-border communities and economies were largely cleaved in two, while residents elsewhere could travel back and forth more or less unabated.

Similar scenes played out farther north, on the U.S.-Canada border—the longest land border in the world. Canada had rolled back restrictions for land arrivals from the United States in August, but last week was the first time that Canadians could cross south for nonessential purposes.

Of course, these borders are not open for everyone. Travelers to the United States must show proof of vaccination against the coronavirus, in further evidence that these types of certificates could become increasingly mandatory for future travel, as my colleague Meghan Benton has astutely described. And watchers are quick to note that the continued imposition of a U.S. public-health measure known as Title 42 prevents many asylum seekers from entering the country.

Still, the border reopening seemed like a critical moment. And North America is not alone. As we approach a third year of reckoning with COVID-19, countries across the world are beginning to formalize mobility plans that allow for international travel of all kinds.

In addition to reopening the land borders, the United States also allowed for resumed travel from Europe and other regions. Australia also reopened its border this month, in the start of a rollback of some of the world’s strictest restrictions. India in mid-October began granting new visas to tourists. And countries in the European Union are moving in a piecemeal fashion to allow travel from places outside the bloc.

As the scenes from North America demonstrate, reopenings are particularly momentous for borderlands and the families, businesses, and others who make up communities that straddle two countries. U.S. southern border communities are estimated to have lost billions of dollars during the closures, although some Mexican businesses may have actually benefitted from the restrictions. Like so many elements of the COVID-19 pandemic, it will likely take months to understand the full repercussions.

Best regards,
Julian Hattem
Editor, Migration Information Source
[email protected]