But the main problem is not the fact, that the Poles have to apply for a visa if they want to go to the USA. At this difficult time that would be understandable.
The problem is, that - at the same time - we have to do it, and the Germans, the French, the Spanish and many other "friends" of America don't - because they're under visa waiver programme.
This is something that I'll never understand and - believe me - it's considered here as simply not fair.
As Matthew Paul pointed above - some second class American oficials are trying to explain to us, that it's very comlex problem, and that visa requirements for the Poles will be abandoned, if the percentage of visa denials for the Poles drops below something like 5%. Today it's about 30% and guess what - even Saudi Arabians are better than we are. At least for the US Immigration. Do you think it's fair treatment of an ally? I don't think so.
And something more. The main reason of such high percentage of denials for the Poles is not the terrorism, but the fact, that many of them tend to stay longer and work illegaly. Yep - real crime, hurting American economy really badly (sarecasm). And teh Saudi Arabians are much richer than we are and they go to the USA for other purpose, like learnig how to stear Boeing.
It is little difference between the FACT that someone really stayed there longer and that some officials tell you that you WILL stay there longer.
Lizol, I do want Poles treated fairly. You mentioned that Spain and a few others have Visa wavers. Today, I think that's a lousy idea. Spain has their Baske Separatists. England has it's Moslem immigrants, some of which are very problematic. So does France. I'd sooner tighten up an these other nations than loosen the restrictions on other nations.
As for 30% of the Pole visa holders overstaying their visa applications, you must realize that is a problem. The United States, just like the sovereign government of Poland, has a right to set immigration limits as it sees fit. When we have honored guests, we expect them to act honorably within the limits of their visas.
Now I'll grant you that the U.S. doesn't enforce it's immigration laws evenly. Frankly, some of us in the U.S. are furious about that very fact.
I personally have a lot of respect for Poland, it's people and their devotion to freedom. I am sorry that we disagree on this to a certain extent.
Poland should receive some of the best treatment we extend, when it comes to nation to nation relations. There's no doubt about that in my mind.