Soccer mania hits Mexico within a few hours with the first match of Mexico against South Africa in the FIFA 2010 World Cup, wich gets played every 4 years.
Now why does the US call the game soccer instead of football as the rest of the world? Apparently at the end of the 19th century when rules were formulated for the game, it was called Association Football which morphed into senseless soccer because of "association". Assball would have been better.
The Mexican Immigration service has changed the rules again, and managed to create a website where you cannot find anything. Most novel seems to be electronic transmittal of visa applications and extensions.
http://setram.inami.gob.mx:8080/solicitudes-web/estancia.html .
Most curious is the apparent inability to solicit Mexican citizenship unless you were adopted, or a dozen other ways, except for actually living in Mexico for x number of years.
Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) in English
I'll be tryng out the new system in a few months and have started saving my pesos for what I know will be 2 trips to Veracruz City again.
If you think Arizona has gone batty with its new laws, you ought to sympathize with Guatemala and El Salvador, which recently opened consulates in nearby Acayucan, because of the thousands of its citizens getting arrested, mistreated and killed while on their way from the southern to the northern Mexican border.
Local politicians vying for posts in the July elections, are falling all over themselves promising new tollroads criss crossing Los Tuxtlas. Stop by next decade and see whether anything was built, or you could land at the Catemaco International Airport.
It´s hotter than hades here now, and if a little rain doesn´t show up soon, I'll be running out of sweat, especially since my bimonthly electric bill just climbed to 3500 pesos (without AC!)
My well is running dry, and I slave to keep my plants moist, but apparently mother nature has more resources. This is flowering time in Los Tuxtlas, and great majestic trees dripping red, yellow or blue are everywhere.
The gringopagadoble effect is still going strong. Insuring a car in Mexico, with US plates, costs about 1000 pesos more than the same car with Mexican plates.
I've been doing my annual sightseeing of most of Los Tuxtlas in the last few weeks, because although it is unbearably hot, the sunshine and absence of rain makes for great photos. Most notable is the fertility rate of those damn topes that are reproducing geometrically. And of course the miserable maintenance of all but the main highway.
Surprisingly many "few rooms" hotelitos and isolated rental cabañas have sprung up in out of the way places.
Catemaco City will have two sort of "new" hotels this year. One is a nicely remodeled former fleabag, and the other the 4 story Posada Catemaco which has been building for more than 6 years. Both are a few blocks north of the central park.
The Catemaco Brujos have been getting some bad press lately. Apparently the Mexican Supreme Court ruled than brujos can be sued for malpractice. I imagine that all those justices will be experiencing serious problems in the near future.
Showing posts with label immigration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label immigration. Show all posts
Jun 10, 2010
Dec 21, 2009
Catemaco Migra-ine 2
"Si Dios quiere", answered the person on the other end of the Mexican immigration phone line in Veracruz City, when I asked them whether they would be open today on Monday.
Considering my yearly problems with this bureaucratic bunch of asinine orifices, I feel like a fool for not having asked whether they would also accept tramites (documents/applications), because when I arrived, the security guard shoved a notice at me stating that as of the 18th of December the office would NOT accept tramites, until after January 6th. So I demanded to see the jefe.
30 minutes later I faced him squatting inside his fully staffed office, and shared with him my opinion of "si Dios quiere". He graciously whipped out his rubber seal and stamped my application for renewal and sent me on my way.
Of course, I will now be an illegal as of the 23rd when my visa expires. And if you think that I trust this orifice´s rubber stamp to impress those friendly federales and their buddy border inspectors on my way to the border, you probably think burrocats are highly paid Mexican federal office managers. Fortunately on a local living basis I have never officially been asked to proof my legal residence in more than 7 years.
So I might have to depend on one of the few kind souls who offered to pick up a camera for me on their way south from gringolandia. Unfortunately no one also offered to pick me up a cute little 4x4.
On the good side, the Veracruz- Catemaco highway is in the best condition that I have seen in years. An overpass is being build on the Veracruz buypass road at Paso del Toro, otherwise smooth sailing, except for the usual mess in San Andres.
Considering my yearly problems with this bureaucratic bunch of asinine orifices, I feel like a fool for not having asked whether they would also accept tramites (documents/applications), because when I arrived, the security guard shoved a notice at me stating that as of the 18th of December the office would NOT accept tramites, until after January 6th. So I demanded to see the jefe.
30 minutes later I faced him squatting inside his fully staffed office, and shared with him my opinion of "si Dios quiere". He graciously whipped out his rubber seal and stamped my application for renewal and sent me on my way.
Of course, I will now be an illegal as of the 23rd when my visa expires. And if you think that I trust this orifice´s rubber stamp to impress those friendly federales and their buddy border inspectors on my way to the border, you probably think burrocats are highly paid Mexican federal office managers. Fortunately on a local living basis I have never officially been asked to proof my legal residence in more than 7 years.
So I might have to depend on one of the few kind souls who offered to pick up a camera for me on their way south from gringolandia. Unfortunately no one also offered to pick me up a cute little 4x4.
On the good side, the Veracruz- Catemaco highway is in the best condition that I have seen in years. An overpass is being build on the Veracruz buypass road at Paso del Toro, otherwise smooth sailing, except for the usual mess in San Andres.
Dec 19, 2009
More Gringos in Mexico
The often quoted number of legal gringo residents in Mexico has unofficially fluctuated between a hundred thousand and more than a million.
Recently the Instituto Nacional de Migración, Mexico´s immigration service, posted some official statistics for the first 11 months of 2009. I extrapolated some yearly (12 months) figures:
1 - total original FM2, FM3 and inmigrado documents issued -57,858.
2 - total renewals of FM2 and FM3 - 127,788
3 - Total US citizens receiving their first FM2, FM3 or inmigrado - 10,052 or 17.4 por cent.
I applied the percentage of gringos receiving their first documents to the number of renewals -22,235.
Total legal US nationals in Mexico 32,287.
That number seems extraordinarily low, I had thought more than that lived just in Mexico City.
http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php?page/Documentacin_y_legal_
Recently the Instituto Nacional de Migración, Mexico´s immigration service, posted some official statistics for the first 11 months of 2009. I extrapolated some yearly (12 months) figures:
1 - total original FM2, FM3 and inmigrado documents issued -57,858.
2 - total renewals of FM2 and FM3 - 127,788
3 - Total US citizens receiving their first FM2, FM3 or inmigrado - 10,052 or 17.4 por cent.
I applied the percentage of gringos receiving their first documents to the number of renewals -22,235.
Total legal US nationals in Mexico 32,287.
That number seems extraordinarily low, I had thought more than that lived just in Mexico City.
http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php?page/Documentacin_y_legal_
Jan 10, 2009
Catemaco Visa
In November I tried to renew my FM3 visa to remain in beautiful downtown Catemaco. NO LUCK . Apparently my last visa had already stayed here for 5 years, and I needed an entirely new visa. So, what the hell I said , sign me up for an FM2 visa.
The only major difference between the two visas is that the FM2 costs twice as much, but counts towards the 5 years you need to become eligible to become an "imigrado" which has no yearly fees or need to yearly visit the Mexican immigration office and really no other civil rights.
I applied for that visa middle November. Middle of December I called to find out my status and was informed to call back after Jan 6. Then it took me only three hard days to get through on the phone to be advised that I AM APPROVED. HuRRAH!
Since I am not planning to go anywhere out of state, next week or next month I will be rushing to pick up my new visa.
Meanwhile the monolingual Nazi bigot of Catemaco who paid to buy a Mexican passport is probably gloating about my two annual trips to Veracruz City to renew my visa. (One day to apply, one day to pick it up, 16 hours roundtrip, unless I am driving to buy life support bagels, then it is 24 hours).
I was a resident green card (immigration visa) holder in the US for many years, and I loved the absolute necessity to mail in my address once a year, and never pay a dime, except the postage stamp. I guess Mexico needs my yearly 2500 pesos, my support of its bus system, and the wages for its turtle bureaucrats.
I am considering to be an illegal immigrant, because, frankly, in my 6 years in Catemaco and throughout Mexico, the only person who ever asked me for my visa was a bank officer when successfully trying to open a checking account. Or, perhaps, I might become a multilingual local Bigot and buy myself a Mexican passport.
The only major difference between the two visas is that the FM2 costs twice as much, but counts towards the 5 years you need to become eligible to become an "imigrado" which has no yearly fees or need to yearly visit the Mexican immigration office and really no other civil rights.
I applied for that visa middle November. Middle of December I called to find out my status and was informed to call back after Jan 6. Then it took me only three hard days to get through on the phone to be advised that I AM APPROVED. HuRRAH!
Since I am not planning to go anywhere out of state, next week or next month I will be rushing to pick up my new visa.
Meanwhile the monolingual Nazi bigot of Catemaco who paid to buy a Mexican passport is probably gloating about my two annual trips to Veracruz City to renew my visa. (One day to apply, one day to pick it up, 16 hours roundtrip, unless I am driving to buy life support bagels, then it is 24 hours).
I was a resident green card (immigration visa) holder in the US for many years, and I loved the absolute necessity to mail in my address once a year, and never pay a dime, except the postage stamp. I guess Mexico needs my yearly 2500 pesos, my support of its bus system, and the wages for its turtle bureaucrats.
I am considering to be an illegal immigrant, because, frankly, in my 6 years in Catemaco and throughout Mexico, the only person who ever asked me for my visa was a bank officer when successfully trying to open a checking account. Or, perhaps, I might become a multilingual local Bigot and buy myself a Mexican passport.
May 15, 2008
Catemaco immigration
After anyone has been living permanently in the Mexican provinces for a while, the joy of "HAVING TO" travel twice a year to a nearby major city with an immigration office to renew an FM2 or FM3 visa becomes a major hindrance to enjoying Mexico.
Many choose to go the route of becoming an "imigrado" which basically gives them absolutely no more privileges than their FM status, except they do not need to waste their lives and money on yearly renewals of their visa.
Some opt for Mexican citizenship, especially those in the zones not fit for foreigners to buy (50 kilometers within the coastline and 100 kilometers within the border).
This choice of citizenship is usually available after having spent 5 years of residence in Mexico on FM visas without any notable blemishes. It also requires a knowledge of Spanish , a few other
quirks, and a penchant for waiting for eternity.
Apparently, like most anything in Mexico, citizenships are for sale. A dimwit monolingual bigot resident in Catemaco, Veracruz apparently recently received his citizenship after paying someone on the Mexican west coast 70,000 pesos to arrange for a passport.
So now he can buy property along the Mexican coast and save himself the fideocomiso costs, now running around 600 + dollars per year less the 2 yearly trips to renew an FM visa less the outrageous annual fees that Mexican immigration charges to annually renew visas.
Considering all that - maybe this dimwit was a smart Catemaco bigot.
Many choose to go the route of becoming an "imigrado" which basically gives them absolutely no more privileges than their FM status, except they do not need to waste their lives and money on yearly renewals of their visa.
Some opt for Mexican citizenship, especially those in the zones not fit for foreigners to buy (50 kilometers within the coastline and 100 kilometers within the border).
This choice of citizenship is usually available after having spent 5 years of residence in Mexico on FM visas without any notable blemishes. It also requires a knowledge of Spanish , a few other
quirks, and a penchant for waiting for eternity.
Apparently, like most anything in Mexico, citizenships are for sale. A dimwit monolingual bigot resident in Catemaco, Veracruz apparently recently received his citizenship after paying someone on the Mexican west coast 70,000 pesos to arrange for a passport.
So now he can buy property along the Mexican coast and save himself the fideocomiso costs, now running around 600 + dollars per year less the 2 yearly trips to renew an FM visa less the outrageous annual fees that Mexican immigration charges to annually renew visas.
Considering all that - maybe this dimwit was a smart Catemaco bigot.
Nov 17, 2006
Catemaco Migra-ine
Living in beautiful downtown Catemaco, Veracruz has a few problems specific to only gringos with FM3 visas.
An FM3 visa holder has to visit the immigration office once a year which requires two days.
I have now discovered a new wrinkle which might require an extra two days. Within the FM3 visa it states that a change of address must be recorded within 30 days.
Like the fool that I am I requested a change of address with my request for an extension of my FM3 visa. The foolish part, of course was that I mentioned that I changed my address more than 30 days before I requested the extension.
So, naturally, in their usual helpful way at this government office, they did not inform me of the penalty for not informing them of my change of address within 30 days.
So today I had to pay a 500 peso multa (fine) for my failure to lie.
And it dawned on me, that some stupid FM3 foreigner living in different hotels in beautiful Catemaco, while seeking a home, would legitimately have to pass more time in Veracruz City than living in any other place in the state, while filing change of address forms.
I do believe that the Veracruz City government tourism office has bribed the Mexican Immigration office to enforce that change of address rule. Otherwise, I would not expect a Mexican government agency to be so stupid.
And if you wonder why I posted these stupid photos, it is because it is absolutely forbidden to take photos within the immigration building, which is really a very beautifully restored historic building. So, naturally, accidentally, my camera clicked.
An FM3 visa holder has to visit the immigration office once a year which requires two days.
I have now discovered a new wrinkle which might require an extra two days. Within the FM3 visa it states that a change of address must be recorded within 30 days.
Like the fool that I am I requested a change of address with my request for an extension of my FM3 visa. The foolish part, of course was that I mentioned that I changed my address more than 30 days before I requested the extension.
So, naturally, in their usual helpful way at this government office, they did not inform me of the penalty for not informing them of my change of address within 30 days.
So today I had to pay a 500 peso multa (fine) for my failure to lie.
And it dawned on me, that some stupid FM3 foreigner living in different hotels in beautiful Catemaco, while seeking a home, would legitimately have to pass more time in Veracruz City than living in any other place in the state, while filing change of address forms.
I do believe that the Veracruz City government tourism office has bribed the Mexican Immigration office to enforce that change of address rule. Otherwise, I would not expect a Mexican government agency to be so stupid.
And if you wonder why I posted these stupid photos, it is because it is absolutely forbidden to take photos within the immigration building, which is really a very beautifully restored historic building. So, naturally, accidentally, my camera clicked.
Jul 28, 2006
60,000 pesos to escape from Catemaco?
Hell, I´d possibly marry someone for that.
Did those caciques that control the Mexican economy get involved in emigration?
Some of these prices being quoted for passage across the US border are similar to the prices being charged for an old car in Mexico before the opening of the customs borders.
Beautiful downtown Catemaco, Veracruz is not exempt from the attempted exodus. My carpenter recently returned after leaving me hanging on a bed room set, and is now looking for work. To hell with him!
It is not the few national guards shipped to control the US border, it is the sentiment of danger being experienced by possible Mexican emigrants. I hope it continues, I would hate to lose another good gardener.
Meanwhile I have a suggestion:
Catemaco´s port of Balzapote, long known for transportation of square groupers (packaged marijuana) should be available for passenger transit. Get aboard and visit the Texas or Florida coast. This poor village has recently been fighting to get some beneficial returns from Veracruz miners intent to devour some of its hill sides for fill operations elsewhere.
A passenger terminal staffed by agents of Mexico´s Immigration Service would really be a benefit to the Balzapote community.
Did those caciques that control the Mexican economy get involved in emigration?
Some of these prices being quoted for passage across the US border are similar to the prices being charged for an old car in Mexico before the opening of the customs borders.
Beautiful downtown Catemaco, Veracruz is not exempt from the attempted exodus. My carpenter recently returned after leaving me hanging on a bed room set, and is now looking for work. To hell with him!
It is not the few national guards shipped to control the US border, it is the sentiment of danger being experienced by possible Mexican emigrants. I hope it continues, I would hate to lose another good gardener.
Meanwhile I have a suggestion:
Catemaco´s port of Balzapote, long known for transportation of square groupers (packaged marijuana) should be available for passenger transit. Get aboard and visit the Texas or Florida coast. This poor village has recently been fighting to get some beneficial returns from Veracruz miners intent to devour some of its hill sides for fill operations elsewhere.
A passenger terminal staffed by agents of Mexico´s Immigration Service would really be a benefit to the Balzapote community.
Feb 25, 2006
Mexican emigration
Perhaps someone adept at crawling across 30 miles of Arizona or someone who previously lived in a tent in Southern Pakistan, would possibly consider this column righteous.
The Mexican Immigration authorities, content with millions of their compatriots escaping to the land of milk and honey, maintain a bureaucracy designed to keep US citizens out of beautiful downtown Catemaco and elsewhere in Mexico.
Unable to convince its own citizens to pay taxes, the Mexican government imposes US 125 to 250 yearly fees for legal non-Mexicans, who have proved that their income arrives from OUTSIDE Mexico, and do so only after at least 2 yearly trips to an immigration office with about a pound of paper work.
Whatever happened to neoliberal equality among nations? Why can an illegal immigrant to the US get free healthcare, and buy whatever he wants, while my buddy who wants to invest some money into a Mexican bank account to invest in Mexico, has to spend several hundred man hours into kissing inept bureaucrats behinds, before being permitted to do so?
As I explained to my mystified Gringo buddy: Actually, most everybody in Mexico does so. This is neither an ethnic nor personal nor anti-American insult.
The Mexican Immigration authorities, content with millions of their compatriots escaping to the land of milk and honey, maintain a bureaucracy designed to keep US citizens out of beautiful downtown Catemaco and elsewhere in Mexico.
Unable to convince its own citizens to pay taxes, the Mexican government imposes US 125 to 250 yearly fees for legal non-Mexicans, who have proved that their income arrives from OUTSIDE Mexico, and do so only after at least 2 yearly trips to an immigration office with about a pound of paper work.
Whatever happened to neoliberal equality among nations? Why can an illegal immigrant to the US get free healthcare, and buy whatever he wants, while my buddy who wants to invest some money into a Mexican bank account to invest in Mexico, has to spend several hundred man hours into kissing inept bureaucrats behinds, before being permitted to do so?
As I explained to my mystified Gringo buddy: Actually, most everybody in Mexico does so. This is neither an ethnic nor personal nor anti-American insult.
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