Immigration debate article Stalemate, solution or setback

[Susie]

http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=37134c2771841e54f57a2 dd29d87569c

[pegasus]

Hi all
the Sun ran an article today ref the VWP program

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006400257,00.html

I have responded to the auther of the article as their email is at the bottom of the article, with reference to the prejudicial treatment used against the UK citizens ie 24 to 48 weeks for the E against 8 days in Belgiim etc etc. If a few more put fingers to keyboard, we may even ge some publicity through this newspater.

B rgds

Neil

[chris]

After the Heathrow incident, on another forum folks were commenting on the aftermath and my comment was that the more serious outcome in the longer term (especially to Florida) would be if the US decided to scrap or scale back the VWP. It sounds like that could well happen.
I cannot blame America if they do that. At the end of the day it is their country and they have to do what is necessary to protect their country and their citizens. If that impacts negatively on foreigners, then so be it and I don't have an issue with it - I would hope the UK would do the same for its own citizens.
What would happen if the VWP was scrapped or scaled back and this is where the Americans are great at knee jerk reactions is that the tourist economy in Florida would take a big nose dive as no Brit holiday maker in their right mind is going to put up with getting visas down in London. Spain or other parts of Europe will win everytime. Vacation travel by Brits prior to the introduction of the VWP was minimal and it would go back to those numbers. Even Disney have come public on their new marketing campaign and it is aimed fair and square at South America. I think they know the days of the European vacationers in large numbers is numbered.
I also believe that many Brits would also review their future investment in the USA and the E2 line and other visas would fall sharply. For those already here on visas, many are already beginning to question their long term stay here as anti-foreigner feelings increase, whipped up by right wing publications and commentaors such as have been given the oxygen of publicity they seek.
The bulk of Americans are like sheep when it comes to views, they are led, they don't think for themselves, at least not until they've been sold a pup.
I think the love affair with America is turning sour and for many I see 'divorce' looming!

[Kriz1]

Is this anti-foreigner feelings just in the News...or has anyone found it too be so in real life...?

I know I've not...the same with friends of mine who are Arab...I find Americans are not the sheep they are made out to be...or maybe I just hang around with the right people...

[charliesmum]

I don't have any anti-america feelings - to be honest from the people around us or even from the government. We just keep our heads down, work and get on with living here. Yes, it is a pain waiting for our renewal, but it doesn't make us want to leave the country. We have two kids at school and we won't do anything to change their situation unless we really have to - we certainly wouldn't move out just because of possible things happening in the future. Until we're asked to leave, we are here.

Zoe

[chris]

The views about the British and the hotbed for terrorists and the VWP was published by an acknowledged right wing organisation here in the US. You also have to remember that the far right republicans here are so much further right than even the most right wing Tory, hence they are radical to say the least. The news articles published by the Mail and the Sun are both from ackowledged UK right wing publications and may have based their articles on what could have been a syndicated story. It is also election time. Also newspapers like to sell newspapers! On the 'sheep' remark, like it or not many Americans are republican voters and take in lock stock and barrel what they are told, often they don't assimilate the information and make their own judgement. We only have to look at the Iraq situation to see that it takes a good while for the penny to drop. In the past couple of replies we seem to have moved from anti-foreigner to anti-american and I don't know why?
The average US Joe is probably not anti-foreigner and certainly for the most part not anti-British. For most of us here in Florida, we are not anti-American either. If you were, why stay? Most want rid of the terrorists as much as anybody.
Unfortunately, the decisions are taken in Washington, not in Florida and that is where the people such as those who wrote the New Republic article hold sway.

[Jax]

I agree with Zoe. We enjoy our life here and unless we are forced to leave this is home
Jax

[mark]

Hi

I must admit to becoming a bit uneasy with the American attitude to the British assuming the majority have a hidden agenda or terrorists

I admire the US govenment in some ways as at least they are trying to stop terrorists getting into the US. We do not hear Blair doing much to stop them entering Britian though

Just wish the US would concentrate more on the terrorists and illegals currently living in the US and deal with them

[Sharon]

Hi

Lets all contact them to help raise our awareness