The COVID-19 pandemic triggered unprecedented border closures, often framed as emergency health measures, which curtailed and reshaped global mobility. Public support for border closure policies followed established political patterns, with political preferences and policy responsiveness as key drivers. As border controls resurface in political debates—from pandemic measures to migration management—it’s important for policymakers to recognize how public opinion on these issues is shaped by political processes and individual reactions to adopted policies. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for future crisis governance and for upholding democratic freedoms.