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Are Poles good enough for USA (to go there without a visa)?


matthias  3 | 429  
28 Feb 2008 /  #121
Dice I posted an article in previous post if you want to read it... Its about a Canadian who immigration knew was here illegaly and yet they let her daughter visit.... I dont have a problem with the law, but its seems that we are choosing on who we enforce it.... If we enforce it on Poles, lets enforce it on everybody... including countries in the VWP.... we don't even keep track of those citizens from VWP countries that overstay.... might be useful because maybe now they don't meet the criteria... Point is its a security risk and a greater one that then the one from Poles coming here..... Security should be the most important.

Now didn't someone say that two of the hijackers have German citizenship.... now what's more important preventing terrorism or someone working here illegaly.... it should be stopping terrorism, or at the very least both....
OP hairball  20 | 313  
29 Feb 2008 /  #122
"U.S. haters"

Don't lable me an American hater just because I speak out about your governments foriegn polacy!

Edit:

And the only difference to the original title is admin added the bit in brackets!
matthias  3 | 429  
1 Mar 2008 /  #123
news.gc.ca/web/view/en/index.jsp?articleid=382699&categoryid=1& category=News+Releases

Canada eases visa restrictions on Poles....

RISKING death alongside American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan makes you a valued ally-unless, that is, you actually want to visit the United States. Then you are a security risk and have to pay a hefty fee for a visa that you may not be granted.

A docile ally wins visa-free travel to America. Others fume
Dice  15 | 452  
6 Mar 2008 /  #124
Well, we'll see how it goes for Canada. It will be an indicator of things to come when the U.S. waves its visa requirements for Poland.

You would think that since Poles can freely and legally work in Western Europe, they would stop overstaying their visas but for some reason it's not the case. Maybe people need some time to change their way of thinking?
matthias  3 | 429  
6 Mar 2008 /  #125
Well, we'll see how it goes for Canada. It will be an indicator of things to come when the U.S. waves its visa requirements for Poland

Seems fair......... It will take awhile but what can you do.......

You would think that since Poles can freely and legally work in Western Europe, they would stop overstaying their visas but for some reason it's not the case.

The percentage is based on rejection rate not numbers of Poles who overstay. The latter would be much more reasonable .
jones101  1 | 349  
6 Mar 2008 /  #126
About half of the Poles I know that have gone to the US (maybe 20 or so) on visas stay illegally when they expire. Everyone I have talked to about it doesn't care at all and thinks they have done nothing wrong. In Chicago especially due to the huge Polish community they protect each other and harbor loads of illegals.

If I did this in Poland they would have a fit.

For those of you that have to suffer through the difficult visa policy or are refused entry...thank your own countrymen.
matthias  3 | 429  
6 Mar 2008 /  #127
I guess when Poland decides not to help America with the war on terror anymore then you can thank your own countrymen.....

Also not to mention that the majority that did come here, came when Poland was under imposed communist rule....
Dice  15 | 452  
6 Mar 2008 /  #128
Fair enough, Matthias.

the majority that did come here, came when Poland was under imposed communist rule....

The ones who came here in the 80's had a Green Card from the start and are citizens now. I know because I'm one of them.
matthias  3 | 429  
6 Mar 2008 /  #129
It's true to an extent, however just as many that came here legaly during communist rule came here illegaly during communist rule. I know I was one of them.

P.S so you don't call immigration, I want you to know I'm a citizen now...
jones101  1 | 349  
6 Mar 2008 /  #130
I guess when Poland decides not to help America with the war on terror anymore then you can thank your own countrymen.....

Poland helps the US for several reasons....

1. They get deals on US equipment and training.
2. They want the practice and experience in warfighting so as to better defend themselves.
3. They hate the fundamental islamisists as much as anyone.
4. Diplomatic back room agreements neither you or I are privy to

If Poland stops fighting it will not be over US visas....get a grip.

I was not talking about immigrants during the Cold War...I was talking about those doing it now and knowing full well it is illegal and simply don't care.
matthias  3 | 429  
6 Mar 2008 /  #131
Poland helps the US for several reasons....

1. They get deals on US equipment and training.
2. They want the practice and experience in warfighting so as to better defend themselves.
3. They hate the fundamental islamisists as much as anyone.
4. Diplomatic back room agreements neither you or I are privy to

If Poland stops fighting it will not be over US visas....get a grip.

I agree with you, I was trying to make a point because I didn't like your phrase thank your own countrymen (it was somewhat snotty). These people where trying to escape communism and we shouldn't punish Poles of today for these people's actions. Which were very reasonable considering the state of affairs in Poland at the time...
jones101  1 | 349  
6 Mar 2008 /  #132
You may have taken it as snotty but it is a fact. Loads of CURRENT DAY Poles stay illegally. I never mentioned those who escaped during the Cold War and agree they had a better excuse. Today's Poles who simply ignore the law do not. This kind of thing IS a factor in the US deciding to relax the rules. One of two things will change it...if Poles stop breaking these laws or if some sort of economic/political incentive for the US is agreed upon. More likely the latter.
matthias  3 | 429  
6 Mar 2008 /  #133
Today's Poles who simply ignore the law do not.

In reality we don't know the number of Poles that overstay today......... The reluctance of US to include Poland in VWP has to do with the rejection rate and not with the number of Poles who overstay their visa.

Also those countries in VWP today, are much more a security risk than Poland. At the very least security(stopping terrorism) should be just as important if not more important than stopping people coming to work illegaly.

What Im getting to, is that the VWP needs a complete overhaul and new criteria should be established regardless if Poland will qualify or not.
jones101  1 | 349  
6 Mar 2008 /  #134
OK...but if Poles are still deemed not eligible will you then say "As long as the system was overhauled" or will you still be insulted that your people are not allowed?

You don't see the English, French or Germans for example staying illegally in the US in any appreciable numbers yet it does happens with Poles(and many other nationalities)....hmm
matthias  3 | 429  
6 Mar 2008 /  #135
You don't see the English, French or Germans for example staying illegally in the US in any appreciable numbers yet it does happens with Poles....hmm

First you don't know because number of overstays from those countries has not been kept track of since they joined the VWP (maybe they don't meet the criteria anymore for all we know). I posted a link previously if you want to take a look. Second those countries are a huge security risk with high probability of homegrown terrorists. 2 of the hijackers had German citizenship.

OK...but if Poles are still deemed not eligible will you then say "As long as the system was overhauled" or will you still be insulted that your people are not allowed?

No I won't be insulted because the process will be much more reasonable and transperant. If Poland doesn't meet criteria Im willing to accept that. What's transparant about the rejection rate? these people could be rejected for many reasons that have nothing to do with them planning on overstaying.

Also hypothetical situation..... lets say Poles still overstay there visa(which we don't know since numbers are not published).... what's more dangerous a terrorism threat (which is high with countries in western EU) or people coming to work from Poland? Once again I think terrorism but at the very least both.....
PeterCpt  2 | 37  
8 Mar 2008 /  #136
3. They hate the fundamental islamisists as much as anyone

You think so?
Look:

globalresearch.ca/articles/BRZ110A.html

"Q: Some stirred-up Moslems? But it has been said and repeated Islamic fundamentalism represents a world menace today.

Brzezinski: Nonsense! It is said that the West had a global policy in regard to Islam. That is stupid. There isn't a global Islam. Look at Islam in a rational manner and without demagoguery or emotion. It is the leading religion of the world with 1.5 billion followers. But what is there in common among Saudi Arabian fundamentalism, moderate Morocco, Pakistan militarism, Egyptian pro-Western or Central Asian secularism? Nothing more than what unites the Christian countries."
NowyDziennik  - | 2  
15 Mar 2012 /  #137
Merged: Show your support, It's time to DropVisasForPoland.org

This is an ongoing issue. Poland has been a steadfast ally of the United States over the years, yet, as a member of NATO and the EU, Poles still need visas for travel to the USA.

Please go to DropVisasForPoland.org read more on this subject and support a legislation that can pave the way for Poland into the Visa Waiver Program.

We need to let our politicians know that It's time to DropVisasForPoland.org
InWroclaw  89 | 1910  
15 Mar 2012 /  #138
Got news for you: so do British people, we all need visas and get fingerprinted etc on arrival, that is not going to change.
EM_Wave  9 | 310  
15 Mar 2012 /  #139
I will not support this. Having more Poles come to the USA will likely increase antisemitism and racism.
Richfilth  6 | 415  
15 Mar 2012 /  #140
Poland has strict, if not stricter requirements for Americans trying to visit, and yet I'm not aware of any protest group pressuring the Polish government to relax their requirements even though the US has given far more to Poland than the other way around...
Ice  1 | 3  
15 Mar 2012 /  #141
Richfilth

Poland has strict, if not stricter requirements for Americans trying to visit

You are completely wrong. Americans can come in without a visa for up to 90 days. Poles have to apply for a visa (costs ~$100), interview with a consul, hope that they get the visa, and then hope that they aren't turned away when they enter the U.S.

Get your facts straight before you post garbage.
NowyDziennik  - | 2  
15 Mar 2012 /  #142
How so? Americans grab their Passport and visit Europe (including Poland) without standing in line at the Embassy and paying fees for visa application.
polishmama  3 | 279  
15 Mar 2012 /  #143
Poland has strict, if not stricter requirements for Americans trying to visit

No Poland doesn't. You buy a ticket, use your passport, come on in and get up to 90 days to hang out in Poland without needing a visa. You just can't be a terrorist, murderer on the FBI wanted list, etc.

so do British people

No, you don't. The UK is a member of the Visa Waiver Program. Poland is not and wants to become a member of that program.

state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/03/185355.htm

Press Release about the meeting between Sikorski & Clinton. All the flaming hoops Poland will be jumping through in the next couple of years. And a "No" to Visa Waivers.
InWroclaw  89 | 1910  
15 Mar 2012 /  #144
No, you don't. The UK is a member of the Visa Waiver Program. Poland is not and wants to become a member of that program.

No, it's not "just like that", depends on your passport and reason for going there and if you applied for and got ESTA clearance, it's all changed in the past 2 years or so

london.usembassy.gov/vwp3.html
polishmama  3 | 279  
15 Mar 2012 /  #145
I don't see the problem. They clarified the conditions of the VWP so that terrorists can't come into Britain, get temporary living there and then travel to the US visa free as if they are UK citizens. Protects the UK and the US. Still not the same, nor anywhere near as stressful or as indignant as the Visa Application Program.
InWroclaw  89 | 1910  
15 Mar 2012 /  #146
nor anywhere near as stressful or as indignant as the Visa Application Program.

I am sorry you feel like that, I can remember having to go to the US Emb with other Britons in the old days, and being there the whole day to get a visa, but we all did it, we had to

I don't like the indignity of the photos and fingerprints on arrival in the US, but that's the way the world's become, it's all very sad
polishmama  3 | 279  
16 Mar 2012 /  #147
Oh, I'm a legal US Citizen. But it's why at my wedding, I had only 2 family members on my side present. Everyone else would need visas & the stress of getting one, I just couldn't ask them to go through to go.
TheOther  6 | 3596  
16 Mar 2012 /  #148
It's the duty of the Polish government to solve this issue, and not that of some lobbyist group in the US. This reminds me too much of the AIPAC and how they interfere in local politics over here.
f stop  24 | 2493  
16 Mar 2012 /  #149
What does it mean that, for the additions to their visa waiver programs, US is said to target "new countries that are cooperating with the United States on security and counterterrorism matters"?
Meathead  5 | 467  
16 Mar 2012 /  #150
It's the duty of the Polish government to solve this issue, and not that of some lobbyist group in the US. This reminds me too much of the AIPAC and how they interfere in local politics over here.

It doesn't make sense that Poland is treated differently by the US. It must originate in Poland by the Polish Government. Poles should be petitioning their government.

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