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A Bridge Divided

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Road signs for Słubice with a red line through it and a blue sign with Polish writing. A metal overhang is seen above with a bridge and buildings in the distance.

FRANKFURT AN DER ODER, Germany—Before 25-year-old Abhishek Budhiraja leaves his dorm to go to campus, he pats down his pockets. “Phone, keys, wallet, headphones,” he says, running through his checklist. Recently, that list has grown longer: “Student ID, passport, residence permit.”

Today, like most other days, Budhiraja anticipates needing to prove his identity.

FRANKFURT AN DER ODER, Germany—Before 25-year-old Abhishek Budhiraja leaves

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