The pandemic’s border restrictions show that humanity thrives when it comes together—redefining global connections and unity

The pandemic has exposed the fragility of borders and divisions, forcing the world to reckon with the limits of the 19th-century nation-state model. As countries tightened borders, limiting movement, refugees and migrants suffered the most. According to the UNHCR, 168 out of 195 countries partially or fully closed their borders, exacerbating the challenges faced by those in flight.

While the virus itself knows no boundaries, the pandemic has amplified the need for a new form of global cooperation. The idea of national borders as the ultimate political unit is outdated and ill-suited to the current global challenges. The rich countries, in particular, have frozen immigration, causing a reduction in global remittances, which help support the economies of poorer nations.

The US, for example, saw a 45% drop in immigrant visas issued in 2020, halting the inflow of essential workers and people fleeing crisis. Despite the fear stoked around migrants, they are crucial contributors to economies, and limiting their movement worsens global inequality.

As borders become more fortified, the need for a “new commons” grows—an interconnected world where collaboration, empathy, and shared responsibility replace the outdated systems of division. Only by rethinking borders and embracing global solidarity can humanity truly thrive.