Home › Forums › Costa Rica Living Forum › Visa for Tico to visit U.S. Declined
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January 12, 2012 at 6:01 pm #200602clewisMember
For all you 9/11 “truthers” It is a shame you still think coincidences, lies and made up bull actually counts as proof. There have been theories that President Roosevelt positioned the American fleet in Pearl knowing the Japanese were going to bomb them. There have been theories that the US started the Korean War for some kind of self interest. The only thing it proves is just how lame your assertions are. But hey…. you’re the one gullible enough to believe every conspiracy site that gives you what you want to hear. Garbage in, garbage out as the saying goes.
Your assertion that your aforementioned video is “fact” is only your uninformed opinion. If you look carefully at the video did you notice the banner behind Mr. Springmann says http://www.unansweredquestions.org which is a 9/11 “truther” organization? Oh but that doesn’t matter does it?
Here is an excerpt from CBC a Canadian Broadcasting Company with Mr. Springmann in 2003 where he has to answer some tough probing questions.
CBC: And if what you say may be true, many of the terrorists who allegedly flew those planes into those targets got their US visas through the CIA and your US consulate in Jeddah. That suggests an relationship ongoing as recently as September [2001]. What was the CIA presumably recruiting these people for, as recently as September 11th?
Springmann: That I don’t know. That’s one of the things that I tried to find out through a series of Freedom of Information Act requests starting 10 years ago. And at the time, the State Department and the CIA stonewalled my requests; they are still doing so.
CBC: If the CIA had a relationship with the people responsible for September 11, are you suggesting that they are in some way complicit?
Springmann: Even through omission or failure to act.
CBC: Do you have any evidence, any paperwork from all of these years that might go towards supporting all of this?
Springmann: Regrettably not. I had something at some point. My predecessor in Jeddah had begun a file of people with peculiar attributes who got had got visas. I kept it up, I added to it. I learned later on after I had left, that this file had been mysteriously been shredded.
CBC: But you complained, and you complained and you complained, but what eventually happened to you?
Springmann: My appointment in the State Department was terminated, and I was never given a coherent statement why.
CBC: You will above all will appreciate that conspiracy theories are a dime a dozen these days with regard to September 11th, what makes yours different or any more credible than the others?
Springmann: I have floated around the international affairs community for the past 20 years. I was in the middle of this in Jeddah; I knew people in the foreign service, I knew people out of it, I knew people in the CIA. I had at one time great respect for the CIA, but this operation in Jeddah was so peculiar, so strange, and it went against anything I had ever seen or heard in my 20 years in government, that I thought that what these people were telling me about CIA involvement with Osama, and with Afghanistan had to be true because nothing else would fit. By the attempts to cover me up and shut me down, this convinced me more and more that this was not a pipe-dream, this was not a machination, this was not a conspiracy theory.
CBC: But when you take the events of 1987, when visas were being issued to people unqualified for them, and suggest that happened again to the same people responsible for the attacks in New York and Washington: that’s a quantum leap. How do you justify that?
Springmann: For all I know, and for all we know, this might not have been the intended consequence. It could have been a mistake, it could have been a misjudgment. Or for all that we know, it could have been an effort to get the US directly involved in some fashion. I mean it’s only a few thousand dead, and what’s this against the greater gain in the Middle East.
CBC: But you’re quite sure that Mohammed Atta and others had their visas issued in Jeddah?
Springmann: This is what I was told by reading an article in the Los Angeles Times.
CBC: Well, an intriguing tale and we thank you for telling us.
Springmann: You’re quite welcome.
NOW, I ask you does he sound credible? No proof at all? He Read it in the LA Times?
Most Americans are deeply offended by these kind of remarks. So if you want to push your agenda then go ahead but when you represent some “conspiracy theory” as fact, you look foolish.
PEACE
January 12, 2012 at 6:28 pm #200603maravillaMemberyou should really not call things that happened at the behest of our gov’t “conspiracy theories” — the declassified CIA documents show unequivocally that there was no Gulf of Tonkin incident that launched us into Vietnam, that the Pearl Harbor incident was known ahead of time — just two examples of our gov’t complicity in starting acts of war, commonly referred to as false flag operations. as for 9-11, i haven’t a clue what to believe, but i know that when they said they could identify 19 supposed hijackers within 48 hours of the attack, claiming that one of their passports was found many blocks away from the WTC, i believe that about as much as i believe in the easter bunny and the tooth fairy. the official account is simply not believable, but it certainly has fostered a lot of hatred towards Muslims as IF all Muslims are terrorists, when it’s really only a small segment of the fundamentalist Wahhabis who are out to stir up trouble. me thinks you don’t want to believe that gov’t do and have started wars and then lied to the populace, when it’s been going on forever.
January 12, 2012 at 7:11 pm #200604clewisMember[quote=”maravilla”]you should really not call things that happened at the behest of our gov’t “conspiracy theories” — the declassified CIA documents show unequivocally that there was no Gulf of Tonkin incident that launched us into Vietnam, that the Pearl Harbor incident was known ahead of time — just two examples of our gov’t complicity in starting acts of war, commonly referred to as false flag operations. as for 9-11, i haven’t a clue what to believe, but i know that when they said they could identify 19 supposed hijackers within 48 hours of the attack, claiming that one of their passports was found many blocks away from the WTC, i believe that about as much as i believe in the easter bunny and the tooth fairy. the official account is simply not believable, but it certainly has fostered a lot of hatred towards Muslims as IF all Muslims are terrorists, when it’s really only a small segment of the fundamentalist Wahhabis who are out to stir up trouble. me thinks you don’t want to believe that gov’t do and have started wars and then lied to the populace, when it’s been going on forever.[/quote]
If you’re making an assumption about what I believe then think again. Do I believe in the Gulf of Tonkin? NO. DO I believe we should have gone into Iraq? NO. Afghanistan? NO. There are more efficient ways we could have taken out Al-Quida. Do I know this to be fact? YES. My post was about 9/11 truthers. DO I believe it’s a shame a Tico can’t get a Visa? YES, Do I think it’s wrong for anyone to paint all American “Gringos” with the same wide brush? ABSOLUTELY. Do I have bigotry or hatred for anyone because they are from a country or of a color? NO.
On a lighter note I hope you are having some nice weather there. The wife and I come down in a week and look forward to peace and tranquility. I am a photographer and I look forward to some interesting shots. If you would like I’ll buy dinner for the four of us. Often times a person can be misunderstood on the internet but when you meet them they are quite pleasing and are interesting to converse with. I’m serious. Until later I wish you peace and joy.
January 12, 2012 at 7:38 pm #200605maravillaMemberwell, there you go, Mr. Lewis — we are very nearly on the same page! jejejeje
yes, we are having some nice weather here. a bit of a nip in the air here at 4000 ft, but at lower elevations is it very warm. i might just take you up on the dinner offer — i’ve met some of the most interesting people who at the outset seemed to be on the opposite end of my spectrum only to find out we were both in the middle somewhere. and if you’re into photography, i know the perfect place for you to visit if you like birds, flowers, butterflies, hummingbirds, views, etc.
January 13, 2012 at 3:58 am #200606GEEGEEMemberAlewis,
To get back on your real topic.
We had a very similar experience. We some what
adopted a 14 year old kid here in Grecia. He had quite
school because of family funds/hard times and could not afford him bus/lunch and uniforms for school. We insisted he go back and we would support his education. Long story he finished school with honors and learned the english language with our tutoring him and some english classes. We told him to finish school and we would have him stay with us for 2 weeks and take him to Disney. HE worked hard is a good, honest kid and we became good friends with his family and helped them out.WE went through the whole process including standing in the
4 1/2 hour line at the USA Embassy with all the papers in hand and went up to the window with him. The american embassy Nazi( dont get excited all you readers, just an expression of action and stance she took) told us to go sit down she did not need us up there. IN 20 seconds our tico son turned around with tear in his eyes and said she said NO. I went up to the window and she said, he is a risk. I said for what?She said, he has nothing to keep him here. I said, we live here, he has family, sister and brothers.
She said, “I said NO” I said, we will put up
a $10,000 bond to gaurantee his return. She said, I said
NO. I said, Let me speak to your supervisor. She said,
I am as far as it goes, now leave you are taking up my time”. I said, Excuse me, I am paying your pay check and
I want 5 minutes of your time and a reasonable explanation.
This is a 17 year old kid that only dream is to go to Disney Land. You are telling me he is a risk? We allow
a lot worse in than this kid. She said, DO I have to call
security or are you going to leave? I said, NO, but you have not heard the last of me. I called the US embassy. I asked for a second review for this kid. I called the US Embassy in Washington and wrote 5 letters. TO NO avail.This is a money making agency called the US embassy. They take in 6 figures everyday and just reject these poor people of all HOPE. I dont know a one that was in line
with us that got a EXCEPTED.So dont feel bad. I went to the top and got a well the
decision was made, BUT HE CAN TRY AGAIN. I said, does
he have to pay the fee again….OF COURSE HE DOES….WE
HAVE TO MAKE MONEY… IN SO MANY WORDS.
These people save months salary to try to get a visiting
visa to nO AVAIL… SAD.. SAD..You offered your home and hand and that was a kind thing you did.
OH, and our Tico son…. Well because he speaks and understands English so well is making over $950 a month for a USA call center in S.Jose. So see, a good
deed goes a long way. Mind you he has been denied again, but can work for a USA call center for a 1/3 of the wages that the company in the USA would have to pay.The point is he is not a risk. IT is all about the MONEY at the USA Embassy… our Government.
GG
[quote=”alewis”]We have a Tico friend whom we met while zip lining last summer. He showed us all around Manuel Antonio, etc. We liked him so much we issued an invitation for him to come visit us for a week in February. We have no ulterior motive, nor does he. We wrote a letter explaining the situation for him to take with him to his interview. He did take care of all the requirements and was still turned down.
they didn’t even read the letter.I suppose he would have been more acceptable to somebody with a turban on his head (apologies to anyone with a turban who takes offense.) Is there anything we can do to help him. It makes me so angry we have lived here (US) paid our taxes and never been in trouble and we request a visit from a friend and are denied.
Is there anything we can do from our end. He doesn’t want to live here, he just wants to visit. The interviewer said it was because he didn’t own property. This is crap. Any ideas anybody?[/quote]
January 13, 2012 at 4:33 am #200607alewisMemberWell Geegee, sounds like you all did a WONDERFUL thing for your Tico child. That is a lot more than just the offer of a visit. However, the problem remains the same. Our daughter, who is a lawyer, talked with an immigration lawyer today and there may be some recourse. I am not sure about it yet but I do know that woman should lose her job, period. It is imperative that people who work with the public at least be nice, which she clearly was not. I too intend to write a letter, (I don’t know to whom yet) to complain about the treatment our friend received. Perhaps if enough people complain the US will make some changes. Not that I am holding my breath—-Thank you for your story-at least we are not alone. And yes, our friend had to work a long time to earn the money he had to pay and will never see again. If you are turned down you should get your money back since they aren’t doing anything anyway.
January 13, 2012 at 4:46 am #200608GEEGEEMemberI agree. They also have to pay to MAKE AN APPT ON TOP
OF ALL THE OTHER FEE’S, PHOTOS AND THEN THE 4 1/2 WAIT
with a appointment. Just a line to make money for our
government.Please let me know if there is anything we can do when
you find out from the lawyer.gg
[quote=”alewis”]Well Geegee, sounds like you all did a WONDERFUL thing for your Tico child. That is a lot more than just the offer of a visit. However, the problem remains the same. Our daughter, who is a lawyer, talked with an immigration lawyer today and there may be some recourse. I am not sure about it yet but I do know that woman should lose her job, period. It is imperative that people who work with the public at least be nice, which she clearly was not. I too intend to write a letter, (I don’t know to whom yet) to complain about the treatment our friend received. Perhaps if enough people complain the US will make some changes. Not that I am holding my breath—-Thank you for your story-at least we are not alone. And yes, our friend had to work a long time to earn the money he had to pay and will never see again. If you are turned down you should get your money back since they aren’t doing anything anyway.[/quote]
January 13, 2012 at 1:17 pm #200609maravillaMemberand that’s the same story my friend with a tica novia experienced. they spent thousands of dollars in fees and lawyers fees, and this that and the other thing fee, and she still could not get a visa to visit even though she did own property in costa rica and had an extensive family. the embajada is not that warm, welcoming place you go for tea and cookies and made to feel as though you are back home. i was there once when they denied someone’s application and was absolutlely shocked at the abrasive, rude, and egregious treatment the person received.
January 13, 2012 at 1:54 pm #200610DavidCMurrayParticipantI can offer no insights into the bad treatment of so many Costa Ricans in the matter of visas, but I can tell you that some do succeed.
In one case, in which I had a hand, an English teacher from here in Grecia went to the U.S. for three years to teach English as a Second Language to foreign students under the Visiting International Professional program. The online application process, on the State Department’s website, was nauseating, but we did get through it and he did get his visa as did his wife and two children.
In a second case, a Costa Rican physical therapist I know obtained a visa which she had to use within a year of its issuance. She did so and visited her aunt in Atlanta.
Point is, it can be done. Now just what the secret to success is is a mystery to me. Wouldn’t it be helpful if the State Department would publish some advice about what’s required to succeed?
January 13, 2012 at 2:31 pm #200611johnrMemberWe offered our builder and his wife to come to the US to visit and conduct some business. Two years and three applications later it finally happened. For some reason, despite a thriving business and him being a respected community leader with four sons all involved in the business, going to school, one in university did not matter to the Embassy the first couple of times.
I also know a friend that applied to visit her sister in Florida (married to a gringo) that was having her first baby. It took three applications for the visit. Of course by the time it happened the nephew was 2!
It just makes no sense.
Turban’s are a great fashion statement – I think I’ll run over to JC Penny and see if I can pick one up on winter clearance today!
😆
January 13, 2012 at 4:04 pm #200612cambyMember[quote=”agarcia”][quote=”DavidCMurray”][quote=”Scott”]
And I’m guessing that most turban wearers would be offended by your comment…
Scott[/quote]
I certainly am.
What connection exists between the U.S. Embassy’s denial of a visa to a Costa Rican and whether someone wears a turban? Please ecplain — in detail.[/quote]
Scott,
It is interesting how your sensivity to racial comments was at a low point when you were quoting the jews as benefiting from and promoting wars. I’m glad to see you’ve become more enlightened. https://www.welovecostarica.com/members/cfmbb/messages.cfm?messageid=D734956E-24E8-5ED2-F17EF47510B7AF45#D734956E-24E8-5ED2-F17EF47510B7AF45%5B/quote%5Dactually, zionists do promote wars, most Jews go along either because they are lied to or, afraid to be denounced. Israel is right now, per one of their Mossad ex’s, itching to have a false flag to draw USA into their bidding and attack Iran.
In the end, it is always a few at the top that use whatever to get their goals met-money, religion,etc….
In the end, jews, arabs, Muslims, Christians are all expendable to these control freaks….January 13, 2012 at 4:06 pm #200613cambyMemberthat said, cannot a CR national with a CR passport come to the USA and spend a week or two without a visa? I spent a week not along ago in 2 EU nations, all I needed was my USA passport and one time, a pic ID too….
January 13, 2012 at 4:11 pm #200614cambyMember[quote=”DavidCMurray”][quote=”agarcia”]
Scott,
It is interesting how your sensivity to racial comments was at a low point when you were quoting the jews as benefiting from and promoting wars. I’m glad to see you’ve become more enlightened. https://www.welovecostarica.com/members/cfmbb/messages.cfm?messageid=D734956E-24E8-5ED2-F17EF47510B7AF45#D734956E-24E8-5ED2-F17EF47510B7AF45%5B/quote%5DUh-huh! So the bigotry you attribute to Scott, however justified it may be, justifies your own, right? And does the Klan’s hatred of African American people also justify your own? How about Asians? Women? The handicapped? There’s a hate group out there you can ally yourself with for virtually everyone. Lucky you![/quote]
well put, there are plenty that are willing to use others to their advantage…..we in USA have our own wolves-in-sheps right now….Need to be more Christlike, less hateful….the “turbanhead” is a person that Christ would very like to meet and save….
January 13, 2012 at 6:51 pm #200615DavidCMurrayParticipant[quote=”Camby”]that said, cannot a CR national with a CR passport come to the USA and spend a week or two without a visa? I spent a week not along ago in 2 EU nations, all I needed was my USA passport and one time, a pic ID too….[/quote]
In words of one syllable or less, “No”.
That’s the point of this entire thread.
January 13, 2012 at 7:06 pm #200616cambyMember[quote=”johnr”]We offered our builder and his wife to come to the US to visit and conduct some business. Two years and three applications later it finally happened. For some reason, despite a thriving business and him being a respected community leader with four sons all involved in the business, going to school, one in university did not matter to the Embassy the first couple of times.
I also know a friend that applied to visit her sister in Florida (married to a gringo) that was having her first baby. It took three applications for the visit. Of course by the time it happened the nephew was 2!
It just makes no sense.
Turban’s are a great fashion statement – I think I’ll run over to JC Penny and see if I can pick one up on winter clearance today!
:lol:[/quote]
have a kilt, thought, might prove too hot in CR, depending….
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