The Libertarian Case for Open Borders

This chapter examines the libertarian case for open borders, with particular emphasis on how restrictive immigration legislation limits the rights of insiders who might want to invite foreigners onto their property and the rights of outsiders who might want to enter the country in question. It suggests that a state as a corporate political entity cannot enjoy the right to freedom of association without restricting the individual rights of its citizens, and that a political community does not have the option of admitting immigrants as second-class citizens. It also notes that, even if the case for open borders based on property rights does not stand up to scrutiny, supporters of libertarianism may counter that the real problem with restrictive immigration policies is that they violate foreigners' rights to freedom of movement.