100's of years of history have brought us to this point in time Tessa. I'm sorry to hear about your passsport issues, but don't take it personal. It's the result of millions of people entering the US, Europe, Japan, Australia and other "western" countries and never leaving. When they arrive that way they cannot work and end up becoming a burden to the the legal citizens of the country they snuck into. That sort of situation can destabilize those countries and depress the economy for their citizens.

I know you mentioned the US/ North America and European countries. But try going to China or Russia or India. Their process is at least as onerous as the US or Europe.

You asked what could be made with more open borders. The answer is a political and social mess. A "no borders" world would need a singular set of laws and rules. Those laws and rules would have to be implimented by a singular governmental force. Those governments and societies would all have to be exactly equal or everyone would want to move into the one they like the most and leave behind whatever or whomever they disliked. There would need to be one big global police force to keep some semblence of control. Would there be room for anachists? Socialist? Conservatives? Liberals? None of that could be allowed because it would create dissent and mistrust and mayhem. Would the Bible be OK? How about the Koran? Christians? Hindus? Muslems?

Hmmmmm.....unlikely!