Freedom is crucial for libertarians — in access to goods and when it comes to people — and that includes the freedom to migrate across borders imposed by government.
Grant Babcock, assistant editor of Libertarianism.org, described three libertarian arguments supporting open borders: "the economic gains open borders make possible, the institutional benefits open borders create, and respect for people’s right to free association."
According to Open Borders, a website dedicated to making the case for open border, libertarians believe that "migration is just one of many things that people should be free to do."
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Libertarians cite the economic benefit to open borders, noting the economic projections of some experts who believe free immigration could "double world GDP," Babcock said.
"The more potential trading partners you have, the greater the potential gains from trade. Allowing people to gather where they wish is a way to facilitate realizing those gains," he wrote.
Some libertarians believe that competition for citizens by world government would make it more free. Those nations with poor governments and laws would not fare well and people would be open to choosing the best places to live.
Some argue that with more open borders, there is more freedom of association.
"Preventing you from crossing the border to see your friend, or preventing them from coming to visit you, is no more justifiable than the government erecting roadblocks around a church or other private gathering place to prevent people from meeting there," Babcock wrote.
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