The Congress revised American visa regulations, but if you think that will do anything for Poles, you are sadly mistaken. The same humiliating and unjust visa application procedures will remain in place for the citizens of a country that has often been called "America’s best friend."

President Bush, who could have revised the rules with the stroke of a pen, has continued to promise visa relief, but most Americans realize by now that our leader is not exactly a font of honesty. "Join us in Iraq" or "Let us put our missiles on your border" and we will repay your friendship. The first plea brought no reward and every Pole should recognize that the second is about as meaningful as a teenage lecher’s request for "special favors" from his girlfriend.

It must be admitted, of course, that the U.S. does have reasonable concerns. The mood of the American people is that not just any immigrants are wanted and there are worries about the security of this country. These matters, however, have no realistic connection to the people of Poland.

Poles do not have to run to Chicago anymore for work. They can get good jobs at good pay in nations must closer to home. The existing visa regulations are a response to the fear that foreigners will remain in the U.S. after their visas expire, primarily to work here, displacing American workers. It cannot be denied that it was once the case, but the number of Poles who would violate the rules under the present economic conditions is infinitesimal in comparison to expectations regarding persons from other countries.

Poles want to come to the U.S. for business reasons, to visit relatives in Chicago, go shopping in New York or enjoy the open society of San Francisco. These are the kind of people we generally want to come here.

As for security, it is ludicrous to anticipate that Poles present a greater risk that the citizens of England, Ireland, France, Denmark, etc. The obvious fact is that Poles represent our best bet against entering for illicit purposes.

The Washington Post revealed in late August that recent opinion polls show about 40% of Poles no longer feel that visa restrictions are relevant to them personally. That is a huge decline in opinion over a short period of time, and a blow to the United States. It indicates that many Poles no longer see the U.S. as the prize at the end of the rainbow, the place for free men to see, the symbol of all that can be good in a democracy. Moreover, from the purely financial aspect, it means the possible loss of visitor revenue from a nation with a quickly expanding economy.

In short, inclusion of Poland in the Visa Waiver Program would be good not only for Poland, but for the United States, as well. It is time for Polonian leaders in this country to stop bowing to authority and to vigorously demand justice for our brothers and sisters across the ocean.