Being Foreign in America

As I have mentioned in an earlier post, Narasimha isn't a citizen of this country. He is here currently on a work visa - the same one that required that we move to M-town. He will be on this visa for 3 years before being able to apply for a green card. He used to be on an exchange student visa, which had to be renewed every year. (In the following process, FYI, there is no part that is without monetary cost.) To get the visa renewed/stamped, the foreigner has to go to a US Embassy, of which there are none inside the US. We chose to go to Toronto and Ottawa, Canada, because those were closer than any others for us. This has not been an easy process. First, he has to apply and get a Canadian visa to go into Canada to go to his appointment at the US embassy. Then, he has to get there to go to the appointment. We have always driven. Then he has to do the appointment, and wait for a few days in Canada to see if they will grant the visa. If they don't, and they don't have to have a reason not to, then he doesn't get to come back to America - no questions asked. Even if he has a job, wife, house, etc. here, and even if he did everything exactly and perfectly that they asked him to do. Actually getting to Canada driving requires that you go through Detroit and through the border police. The way to Canada isn't bad - they check your passport, ask a few questions and wave you through. The way back to the US, however, has been pretty much a nightmare every time we have gone through. I can't believe how rude and racist they are. I understand they have a job to do, and trust me, I want them to do it well. I don't want terrorists or the like making it through our borders. But there is no reason for them to be unnecessarily rude and condescending to everyone who goes through and isn't white. Last time I checked, it wasn't considered a crime simply being not-white. I have been literally embarrassed for the way I have seen them treat people on the way through - embarrassed to even be an American and be associated with these unfriendly and cold-hearted cattle-herders. So, since he has a new visa, he has to get it stamped at an Embassy if he leaves the country and before he can come back. Since we are planning a trip overseas soon, he is looking at making the Canadian trek once again to get his visa stamped. He called the Embassy today (there is a website that you can use, but there are never any appointments available, so the Embassies allow you to call directly and for $2/min you can attempt to get an appointment over the phone). He talked to a man who was less than helpful. The man said that no, they don't have any appointments. Narasimha asked why not, and why don't they ever show up on the website, since he has been religiously watching the site, and also, how is he ever actually supposed to get an appointment. The man said that they do come onto the website, but Narasimha should be ready to check the website "between 40-50 times a day to get an appointment." Thanks for your help - now can I please have my $2/min back? Whenever we deal with these people, we always comment on how unfortunate it is that the people who are representing Americans on the front lines (literally - at the borders) are showing us to be a bunch of arrogant pigs who care nothing for anyone but ourselves, and treat everyone we encounter, good, bad, or otherwise, like the dirt on which we trample. After seeing first-hand how "we" treat foreigners as a first impression, I wonder a lot less than I otherwise would why whole countries of people hate us and threaten us and even kill us. I also wonder a lot less (not that I at all think it's ok) why people are here illegally - it would be much easier and cheaper for us to break the rules!