Nearly 5,500 refugees, most of them Syrian, took advantage of a loophole in both Norway's and Russia’s border rules by riding bicycles through the Arctic border between the two countries.
Norway has decided that they’re not accepting any refugees who possess Russian residency permits, even though Russia is refusing to take them. And since Norway doesn’t allow undocumented people to cross their border in vehicles and Russia doesn’t allow entry by foot, it's probable that neither country imagined thousands of people riding bicycles in sub-freezing temperatures.
Not only is the trip physically taxing, but Russian business owners have also admitted to charging the refugees hundreds of US dollars for a single bicycle.
Forget the fact that the two nations have been playing border ping-pong with these people since November.
But, obviously, you know, we’re the worst, most hateful nation ever because we want to feel secure in knowing who it is we’re accepting into our homes and communities.
Makes sense.