What's wrong with this picture?

Getting into this country, for some people, seems to be a matter of crossing the border. When they do they aren't even punished for it. So, now, someone wants to get into the country legally for a mere 2 weeks and can't even get the visa because "it's an easy way to infiltrate and get into the country."

Well, for the annunal Springville World Folkfest, this has become a reality. They have had to cancel the event this year because of visa problems and other red tape issues. Read More...

This event has been going strong since it began in 1984. My husband and I hosted some of the dancers who came to perform at the multicultural event. The first year we had two young men from India stay with us. We drove them to their practices and performances. We also fed them and housed them. We had the choice opportunity to experience another culture right in our own home.

The second year we had a couple and their son from Italy (Sardegna) stay with us. They spoke no English and we spoke no Italian. Yet we had a most enjoyable 2 weeks with them. We learned how to tell them it was time to eat and when it was time to go.

I still keep in contact with one of the young men from India...though he isn't such a young man any more. He is married with two adorable children. He runs a business in Bombay. Thanks to the internet we can now chat (he speaks very good English) via one of the popular IMs.

I was saddened to read that the event had been cancelled this year. I do hope that the future brings a solution to this problem and that our leaders can see the real issue here. If they really want to keep the wrong people out of this country they need that policy to be across the board.

Keeping those who want to come for legitimate purposes from coming when our borders are so porous makes little sense to me.