Bush Admin. Tourist Visa Policy May Have Cost America the 2016 Olympics

[liberalpragmatist]

From ThinkProgress:

In spite of President Obama’s lobbying efforts, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) may have chosen to reject hosting the 2016 summer olympic games in Chicago due to the post-9/11 visa tourist policies established by his predecessor, George W. Bush. Michael Froomkin, Professor at the University of Miami School of Law, is convinced that the “the same stupid anti-visitor policy that is destroying American higher education” also sunk Chicago’s Olympic bid. Chicago was eliminated during the first round and received the fewest votes. A New York Times article points out:

In the official question-and-answer session following the Chicago presentation, Syed Shahid Ali, an I.O.C. member from Pakistan, asked the toughest question. He wondered how smooth it would be for foreigners to enter the United States for the Games because doing so can sometimes, he said, be “a rather harrowing experience.”

A “harrowing experience” may be an understatement. Immediately after 9/11, the Bush Administration began requiring fingerprints and photographs of tourists from all but 28 countries entering the US. President Bush required that all foreigners register online within three days of travel. Thirty-five (mostly European) countries now participate in the US Visa Waiver program, however tourists from the rest of the world still have to jump through the following hurdles:

- Pay hefty visa processing and issuance fees.

- Undergo an interview by a visa officer at the US Embassy.

- Provide evidence which shows the purpose of the trip, intent to depart the United States, and arrangements made to cover the costs of the trip may be provided.

- Present convincing evidence that an interested person will provide financial support if the applicant does not have sufficient funds to support him or herself.

The average wait for a US visa has risen to about three months. Brazil, which will host the 2016 Olympic summer games in Rio de Janeiro, has a reciprocal visa policy with all countries. US tourists are required to have a $130 advance visa before entry into the country and are fingerprinted and photographed upon arrival — matching US requirements for Brazilians.

Link.

[LisaM]

1. Wow.

That is intense.

[Turbineguy]

2. That's not going to go down well

with the Fox News audience.

But then again, Fox may forget to mention it.

[PopSixSquish]

3. Yuppers - A Co-Worker of Mine has a Sister Whose Family Lives in Japan

where they have complete health insurance and even though she's an American citizen, they have to buy insurance everytime the family visits the United States in case something happens while they are here.

Now that in and of itself isn't a bad idea but an American citizen has to jump through extra hoops in order to visit her home country. So yeah I can see where this might be a problem for some of the IOC members...

[Raine1967]

4. There is something to be said about that, but

In regards to our presentation, I think our country decided to go with a more USA centered approach rather than an a world-centric approach -- not to mention we did boycott the '80 olympics because Russia tried to occupy the same country that we occupy right now. That said -- I find it disgusting that the right wing is using this to delite that we lost the olympics to boost their political means.

WE lost. I wanted to see us get them, but we didn't. End of story for me.

[Fridays Child]

5. K&R!

[ohheckyeah]

6. Here's something interesting...

that part seems to have been taken out of the New York Times' article. I wonder why?

[City Lights]

7. I'd be shocked if any of the overpaid talking heads on the teevee delve into this.

It's just so much easier to claim that Obama failed and that his star power has diminished. :eyes:

[busybl]

8. not to mention the kind and mannerly treatment they get

when they finally get here.

[LovinLife]

9. Axelrod didn't know about this? I thought Obama shouldn't have went mainly

becuz the IOC is probably the most corrupt organization in all of sports. They can't be trusted and will give the games to the highest bidder, but this makes sense too. I just hate that POTUS looks bad and the crazy nuts on the right are all giddy. I really hope he gets tough on Health Care and show them who's in charge.

[never cry wolf]

10. Bush/Cheney

The shit stain that keeps on giving.

[AspenRose]

11. It makes perfect sense

TSA makes going through the airports for AMERICANS a total nightmare....

could you imagine what it would be like if you're VISITING from another country!

[Meshuga]

12. That was obviously implicit in the last question made by a member of the IOC

I brought that up in a different thread today. No matter how we try to hide, there is no easy way to answer that question because the reality hurts the US.

[harkadog]

13. If President Obama disagreed with this policy

He could have changed it on January 20th or anytime after. Since he hasn't it means his administration agrees with the policies also.