Last month, a deadly knife attack in Soligen killed three people. The perpetrator was a Syrian asylum-seeker who claimed to be inspired by the Islamic State group. In June, a knife attack by an Afghan immigrant left one police officer dead and four other people wounded.
But most of Germany's neighbors are fellow members of the European Union, a 27-country bloc based on the principles of free trade and travel. And Germany — the EU’s economic motor located in the heart of Europe — shares more borders with other countries than any other member state.
The border closures are set to start next week and last six months — and are already threatening to test European unity. The Polish prime minister denounced them as “unacceptable” and Austria said it won't accept migrants rejected by Germany.
Germany opened its doors to migrants from places like Syria about 10 years ago.
But now, many Germans feel that social services are overwhelmed, and extremist attacks by asylum-seekers have led to security fears. It has added up to growing support for firmer immigration policies — and in some cases, the rise of political parties that champion such limits.
