B-2 Travel Visa Denial / 214(b)

[graymondo]

Help!

My Inlaws have applied at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota Colombia 3 times and were denied all 3 times. The last of which, we all thought for sure would be a shoe in! My wife is pregnant with a high risk status. We supplied a invitation letter, letter from her doctor, affidavit of support, tax returns all with Apotiles. They came with paystubs, letters from employers granting time off work, proof of teenage dependent going to a University in their home country, bank statments, 3 deeds to properties owned free and clear (2 with rental income), everything you could think of and were NOT!!! allowed to show a single document. Not one! I don't understand, if someone is not allowed to show their documents how do they demonstrate their strongs ties to their country? If they has no criminal records, have jobs, money in the bank, and a pregnant daughter who is a Permanant Resident with 3 years in the USA why would they be denied? How is that possible? Please help us understand this. How can we request an investigation?

[smohanty]

Applying three times for BOTH of them was a big mistake.

1. After the first rejection you ought to have tried for a visa for only one person - your mother-in-law. Her husband's presence in Columbia would be seen as an important reason for her to return after her US visit.

2. You ought to have NEVER mentioned pregnancy as the purpose of the trip. Tourist visas are for visits and traveling.

Visa officers are NOT interested in the moral support aspect of a mother's presence during her daughter's pregnancy. After all, so many women give birth without their mothers around.

Instead, coming here to help a daughter with child birth is generally regarded by Visa Officers as providing unpaid services - it does after all take away paid employment opportunities for American workers including nurses, doulas, child care providers etc.

And a tourists visiting this country are NOT permitted to work.

What to do now? I am not sure. Three rejections does not help any future attempts to get a visa.

You could try again (ONLY for your mother-in-law) closer to your wife's due date - MINUS the doctor's letter of course.

However, please do be prepared mentally, emotionally and physically for not having her present for the birth.

Good luck.

[graymondo]

214(b) Visa Denial

I found your reply very interesting. After several phone calls and surfing the net, I have discovered a common denominator. Money! Yup how amazing is that? It turns out that many people who have been denied previously for tourist visas have made the same mistake I have. They were honest! So in response, instead of writing on their application that they going to visit family, they simply stated that they were going to Las Vegas, Disneyland or some other tourist attraction. It’s so clear to me now. It all about money. Now I totally understand why so many people break the law and come here illegally. Doing things the right way or honestly, seldom ever works out. What a wonder system.

[shamela]

[Hi ,

Just to check, did your in-law's apply again? And did they get the visa?

[graymondo]

Well, my mother-in-law was given a piece of paper and told that her case need to be sent through an administrative process under 221(G). That's been at least 3 weeks now. My father-in-law was flat denied. I called my State Senator and they are requesting additional information from the Embassy, as I am fumming! I sent their applications to the them for review and I am being told that is not clear (based on the application only) why he was denied. Remember, they were not allow to shopw any of their documents. We'll see.