Border Crossings

I got my identification card yesterday, and I'm now a "legal alien". For three weeks I have had a glimpse of what it is like to not have an "identification card". A visa is not enough, and until "legalized", there are many restrictions. The strict policy for U.S. passport holders is in reciprocity for our country's immigration and visa requirements since 9/11. The requirements for temporary and permanent residence are more relaxed for every other country but Spain. The agent at the Federal Police was proessional and friendly, and he pointed out to me that only five more days remained in the grace period before deportation procedings could have begun. I hope for a day when people will move more freely across all borders; when fear will give way to hope, when estrangement will give way to reconciliation, animosity will give way to hospitality and suspicion will give way to trust.