1/ When a government effectively stops immigration using an unspoken (racist & xenophobic) policy as simple as — not picking up the phone
wien.orf.at/stories/311727…
wien.orf.at/stories/311727…
2/ If you don't speak german, or just don't want to click through: In Austria, Vienna's immigration office is slowing or stopping visa applications—a majority of which are made by Serbian and Turkish citizens—by understaffing and overworking immigration workers,
3/ or simply by telling their staff, "Do not pick up the telephones" when applicants call, allowing emails to slip through the cracks, etc.
4/ I ran into a similar problem when I applied in Salzburg, where there were limited open hours, no easy avenues for contact, and no answers in a very complicated process. Coming from the US, I know I had an easier time than a lot of other folks.
5/ This is likely a problem across Austria. Authorities assure the problem will be resolved "at full speed." Which I'm sure is great news to hear as you're being kicked out the country.
6/ In a global context, it's been the policy at the US/Mexico border, it's the same carelessness seen in the US' exit of Afghanistan, and if I had to relate this to climate too, it's a probable future for climate refugees.
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