We are living in historic times: Never before have so many international migrants been registered, never before has so much been invested in border security. I share stories and pictures from my encounters in various border regions around the world - on a rescue ship in the Mediterranean, in a Colombian jungle controlled by drug cartels, and in a U.S. desert with over 45 degrees Celsius. Conversations with scientists and politicians provide additional insights. This talk is part of my long-term project on borderlands around the world.