New U.S. visa ordeal has Poles simmering

But the ordeal of obtaining a U.S. visa has become a major irritant in Polish-American relations, according to many Poles who say the entire process is demeaning, arbitrary, far too expensive and downright unfriendly to a loyal ally.

First there is the $100 application fee, non-refundable even if the application is rejected. That is the standard processing fee at U.S. embassies around the world, but in a country such as Poland, where the average monthly wage is about $400, it is a lot of money.

For Malcharek and Trus, $100 is the equivalent of two months' rent in the student dormitory.

"If they refuse us, why should they keep the money?" Malcharek asked.

Then there is the business of the fingerprints and mug shots. New laws implemented at the beginning of the year by the Department of Homeland Security require foreigners visiting the U.S. to be fingerprinted and photographed upon entry.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=2027&ncid=2027&e=4&u=/chitribts/20040405/ts_chicagotrib/newusvisaordealhaspolessimmering

On CSPAN last week, I saw a show with holocast/genocide survivors from all over the world. A question asked them 'how could this happen, how did it happen, how many more times will it happen? What makes this happen' The panel all agreed that there are several things in play but they agreed the common thread is 'when a country, a group feels it's better than another group.'

certainly don't want them visiting us! Poor Poland...they are just always shooting themselves in the foot throughout their history.