Thread: Group Pushes for Changes in Visa Policy (PUKE)

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&c ... _changes_1

Group Pushes for Changes in Visa Policy

By REBECCA CARROLL, Associated Press Writer Fri Aug 19, 3:20 AM ET

WASHINGTON - The United States needs to loosen its visa rules, according to some immigration experts who say an emphasis on keeping out potential terrorists has made it difficult for foreign-born visitors to enjoy their U.S. stay.
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"Visa policy has been reduced since Sept. 11 to simply keeping people who might be a threat to the United States out," said Demetrios Papademetriou, president of the Migration Policy Institute.

"Defending ourselves may be the pre-eminent national interest, but it is not the only national interest," Papademetriou said. The think tank, which says it is independent and nonpartisan, released a report Thursday on the changes in visa policy since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Papademetriou said the policy also should focus on the economic, social and cultural importance of being receptive to foreigners. For example, it should encourage the most talented people from abroad to attend U.S. universities as schools in Europe and Asia step up recruitment of international students.

John Keeley of the Center for Immigration Studies, which pushes for more restrictive immigration policy, said more expansive visa rules would lead to illegal immigration and other problems.

"The student (visa) category has to be examined closely because it has been savagely exploited by terrorists in the past," he said. "We have the best colleges and universities in the world, and they're here for American students primarily."

Fifteen of the 19 hijackers in the Sept. 11 attacks legally entered the U.S. on travel visas. Three were admitted with business visas. The 19th entered on a student visa.

The institute's report also said that while the
Homeland Security Department is well suited to some visa-related tasks â€â€

Papademetriou said the policy also should focus on the economic, social and cultural importance of being receptive to foreigners. For example, it should encourage the most talented people from abroad to attend U.S. universities as schools in Europe and Asia step up recruitment of international students.

Is this guy nuts or what?

I think I might Know what there talking about here. Like in China. To get a visa, you have to send in an Application. Then you have to travel to one of 4 visa Units located In Beijing, Shanghai, ect. You have an interview. Then you have to wait for weeks, for your paper work. To process. Then you are notified, and have to return to the Consulate after getting another appointment. to receive your Visa. Some people in China have to travel 2,000 miles to one of the Consulates. I know even when we got my wifes Visa. we Was in a plane all over China. From Shanghai, to the Consulate in Southern China Guangzhou. Then of course after she got it we had to wait another 10 days, before it would be effective. So off at that time to Urumqi in the Northwest China and on north to her home town of karamay.

Unlike, when I go to China. I send my Passport and Application to the Chinese Embassy in Washington. With a Passport photo. a few days later after your cleared by there security. You receive your passport back with the Visa inside.

I bet they don't have many illegals in China. I wonder why?

Originally Posted by dataman

I bet they don't have many illegals in China. I wonder why?

No they don't except North Koreans, that come across. I think that is the only border that is not watched really good. But still it is watched a million times better then ours.