The migration emergency on Poland’s eastern border exposed again the limitations of law and policy when confronted with the reality of desperate people seeking to escape war, poverty and political unrest. Many of these people may not qualify for refugee status, but they came knowing that if they could reach a safe country and claim asylum, their claim would have to be given individual consideration, and that takes time, leading to significant numbers that end up staying for good. Due to increases in migration caused by the political and economic instability sparked by human-caused climate change, crises like this appear poised to continue.