It’s been a long day. Social, pleasant, but long. And a lot of driving to-and-fro in the city (outside to inside and vice versa). Anyone who’s done that all day, especially with a standard transmission, knows it can be a bit tiring.
So, I decide to go out to eat. Walking into a restaurant, there’s an “American looking” woman at a patio table, but I want to be inside away from the traffic. It would be fine if I didn’t see any traffic for days! Walking past, I wish her a “Buenas noches,” although it is a bit early for that.
She just stares at me. I’m kinda loud, so I doubt she couldn’t hear. A nod. A smile. A wince, even? No.
Later, the waiter is visiting with her because we’re the only two customers in the place. He exchanges pleasantries, then she just unloads on him about the horrible new Mexican laws. In English, of course.
Why… now Americans have to go back to the USA and begin their visa process with a consulate, rather than just doing whatever they want once in Mexico.
I guess my opinion is that every country has the right to make the laws they think they need. But what really amazes me is that so many nations have taken as long as they have to “equalize” their laws with the way American laws now treat their citizens. Which is to say, “very poorly.”
After 9/11 “everything changed,” which was perhaps one of the worst policy choices possible. Once those lenses were put on, the USA viewed every single visitor with suspicion and the “visit America visa process” is now complex and expensive. Far beyond the reach of many people who previously could afford a little visit. And unfriendly doesn’t begin to describe it. [Remove your shirt for tattoo inspection. Humiliating questioning. And more.]
So, now Americans have to begin a Mexican resident visa process at home with a consulate. Just as the US requires of Mexicans who wish to visit or reside in the USA.
My question is: Should Americans be surprised when other nations pass laws just like those in the USA?
The “new” Immigration laws in Mexico are nothing more than a “standardization process” The USA and now, Canada have set the bar. In Mexico, the laws may be tougher to abide by now but at least the Immigration authorities are pleasant. It is NOT this way at the American and Canadian visa processing centers. What a sad state of affairs.
Insightful. I cringe when I think of how Mexicans are treated NOB and compare this with how welcomed we are here: how people struggle with a smile to understand our accented Spanish, go out of their way give us directions, invite us to share their customs and contribute to their arts.
Can you imagine how comfortable it would be to live in Merida and have local politicians using racist terms about Americas/expats/foreigners, decrying our existence, complaining about us enjoying local services, trying to find ways to restrict our access to drivers’ licenses, bank accounts, etc?
We’re lucky more nations haven’t been retaliatory, but several have. Brazil, for example, hiked their visa fees in response to US increases. Other countries now require a visa where they previously didn’t, because of US changes.
We ex-pats in Merida are certainly some of the luckiest. As mentioned, the local officials of all types are generally friendly, kind, helpful and honest.
What possible purpose does it serve for the dehumanizing processes Mexicans must experience at the US Consulate? Well, not only Mexicans, but everyone including US citizens.
“Fortress America” not only is bad policy, it is mostly just theater and so a waste of money. The best safety insurance is to make friends worldwide. Even General McChrystal is lecturing these days on how we are causing more harm than good with our military policies.
But when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.