I believe it was Aristotle who once said...

I just had to respond to an inquiry regarding a visa applicant who has been refused a visa (by me).The inquiry ended with this gem regarding Democratic principles.

"Every child who wants to should be granted the chance to be at the funeral services of his or her mother and father regardless of where they live. One of the greatest principles of democracy is the the right to be at our mother and father's funeral services."

The problem is, probably 50% or more of our visa applicants are going to either a) a funeral, or b) to visit a close relative that is on their death bed. The other problem is that immigration law does not mention funerals, or death bed visits.

I have to say it's very hard to tell someone they can't go to their father/mother/brother/sister/ child's funeral. Hardest part of the job, to be honest. But, then again, I haven't had to make a phone call to next-of-kin to inform them that their son/daughter/father/mother has died yet. I imagine that is much harder.