Love-Hounds-request@EDDIE.MIT.EDU.UUCP (01/01/87)
Really-From: Jim Hofmann <hofmann@nrl-css.arpa>
(am posting this to mod.music,gaffa and rec.music.misc in order to
get this the widest world distribution - I hope you agree the message
herein is important enough)
In regards to this INS H-1 work permit contro:
In the most recent Village Voice (cover story is on The New Sobriety), there
is a comprehensive article on the INS and the proposed regulatory changes.
some points I haven't seen mentioned on this newsgroup are:
1) the new regulations hurt non-commercial artists the most who theoretically
pose no threat to the union/commercial artists. This is because of two
reasons:
a) it wil be and is hard to prove "pre-emminence", though some of the
more "artistic" groups are able to get critical aclaim, the groups
such as hardcore/wave/little known rock won't be able to.
I'd hate to think the hacks who write for the English music
press will be involved in the decision of who can work over here.
Previously, underground bands especially hardcore, were
brought into the country on a temporary non-work visa which
was routinely violated (Another "un-related" law is being
changed to heavily fine artists and promoters who violate
this temporary nonwork visa) and smuggled their equipment
through Canada.
b) Suprisingly enough, in this supposedely non-socialist country,
the Amercan Federation of Musicians (AFL-CIO) are used as
references as to judghing the "pre-eminance" of musicians/groups/
artists. It was sadly and subtly pointed out that the current
advisor has had limited musical experience (weddings and affairs)
and bases his decisions on "shakey" cases merely on his acquaintance
with the venues and promoters (I imagine this is how Paul Simon
got his South African musican friends over here). Long time readers
of this net are aware of my opinion of the American Federation of
Musicians - most areas where AFM is strongest have the least
bold above-ground pop/rock music scene (or so I've found through my
travels)
2) It is really too late to protest to the INS (though they claim they
will give all letters consideration, the expiration date for protests
has expired). However, the Voice pointed out that if you have any
specific incidents that you know of where H-1 visas were unfairly turned
down or anything related, you should write to Senator Paul Simon. He
is collecting as much evidence as he can. I hope this message gets
distribution outside north america for that reason. (Hon. Sen. Paul
Simon, US Senate, Washington D.C. 20510)
3) The article pointed out that these new regulations are a result of
many different factors: streamlining of an already overworked govermental
agency, ignorance about world/art among officals and it's suggested this
is a result of Reagen appointees who have a indirect policy (in the
grand tradition of Charles Wick) of supressing ideas foriegn, or not
concurrent with Administration thinking (Judeo-fundamentalist-Christian
ethics). In a way, this is a sign of an efficient state - perhaps one
of the most subversive things to the state is "art" or whatever you
want to call this stuff we go mining for.
If you don't care about this - just don't complain to me when the
only type of artists who come into our country are Julio Igleaisas
and the Rolling Stones....
Jim (sorry for all the spelling errors) Hofmann