The rising anti-immigration sentiment across European Union capitals is putting significant pressure on the bloc's unity. Countries like Germany and France are taking steps that could jeopardize the Schengen zone, which allows for passport-free travel across many EU nations. In 2015, during a time when over 1.3 million individuals, primarily fleeing the devastating conflict in Syria, sought refuge in Europe, then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel famously declared, “Wir schaffen das” (“We can manage this”) and opened Germany's borders to these migrants. Fast forward to today, and the situation has dramatically shifted. With irregular migration flows now less than 10% of what they were at the height of the migration crisis, EU leaders are increasingly adopting a stance of rejection. The prevailing sentiment has shifted from “We can manage this” to “No, we can’t” or, more accurately, “We won’t.” This change in attitude reflects a broader trend across the EU, as member states grapple with the complexities of immigration and border control, raising concerns about the future of open borders within the region.