Member states of the EU in the Schengen zone may adopt new rules to reinforce border checks in the wake of heavy immigration from West Asia. The Schengen area, which guarantees free movement across and between 22 European Union members and three non-EU countries, has encountered unexpected difficulties in the wake of the protests that have swept West Asia and North Africa, and gained the moniker Arab Spring. Furthermore, new rules may soon be adopted to allow member states to reinstate border checks.