On Sunday night Sweden did something that has not happened on the Danish border since 1950. The country began checking IDs for travellers going by bus, boat, or train between Denmark and Sweden. The tightening up of borders came because of the influx of refugees.

Then on Monday Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen made a statement that Denmark would be tightening controls on borders as well. Rasmussen admits it’s “not a happy moment at all” and that Denmark is playing into the domino effect of border control.

While these are temporary controls, there will be consequences for all those who cross the border. Commutes may take twice as long, and public transportation will likely lose revenue.

Freedom of travel between countries is also a major foundation for EU countries, and a recent achievement. When one countries puts up walls it can cause a dangerous domino effect.

But the main concern lies with refugees. The message that restricting these borders sends to refugees seeking asylum is not welcoming, and it merely prolongs hardship.

A domino effect of tightening border controls in Europe is hazardous in a refugee crisis. 2 million Syrian refugees fled to neighboring countries last year, and millions more seek asylum in EU countries. The war in Syria is brutal and when refugees put everything they own, along with their lives, at risk to find solace from war, then countries who can extend help should welcome refugees and migrants by adding as few obstacles as possible.

Refugees are seeking a better life. In a New York Times article, one woman fleeing Syria said to seek asylum in Sweden instead of in Italy because, “They [Italy] are not offering us what we left our country for -- no jobs, no homes… Poverty is as bad as war.”

Another issue with restricting borders and the ID checks Denmark and Sweden have put up for refugees is that not all families made journeys together. Oftentimes, fathers or older brothers travel first and establish a location, then the rest of the family follows. With these new measures, uniting measures becomes much harder. 

While about 40 percent of refugees seeking asylum in Sweden do have documentation such as a passport, those who don’t have useful identification are the most vulnerable and at risk of being taken advantage of by smugglers who can charge even higher fees for transportation.

What could be done instead?

A better solution would be one that involves all EU countries. Germany, Sweden, and Denmark, along with other EU countries involved in the largest migrant crisis since World War II, should come together for a cohesive solution to accommodate refugees seeking asylum. Rather than putting up walls and restrictions, providing refuge should be the goal. Europe has provided great support to refugees during the refugee crisis and Europeans continue to support Syrians and other war refugees. But it can't stop now. The world needs to make sure that a country's policies support refugees and other vulnerable communities.

You can show your support and empathy for Syrian refugees when you put yourself in their shoes by going to TAKE ACTION NOW.