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PBH / colombia (travelguide, pictures) / post |
I have reached my wit's end with these jerks. Firstly, my brother-in-law who has a firm job offer with an architectural company in Florida has been given the runaround for two years. I can see why people immigrate to the US illegally! And the clincher is now that my sister-in-law and my niece have been denied a visa to visit us in Florida to go to Disneyworld etc. I signed all the guarantees etc and the prick in the Embassy did not even look at them before saying no. Is there anyone who can steer me to a lawyer in Bogota who specializes in presenting visa and immigrant petitions to the US Embassy and who has some track record in getting results?
By Orchid Andy on Mar 30, 2006, 13:31 in Visa & paperwork.
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Crazy4Cali says on Mar 30, 2006, 15:59: I'm not a lawyer... but:
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Wastelandlive says on Mar 30, 2006, 16:15: Yep. A Consular Officer's job pretty much sucks. Two Colombian twinkies want to vacation at Disneyland? Like they don't hear THAT approximately 400-500 times a day. Wasteland 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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untreated says on Mar 30, 2006, 16:29: Going to Disney World It was a bad idea to say that. You should have done your homework and prepared a better presentation. What an attitude! How long have they been your inlaws anyway?
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Orchid Andy says on Mar 31, 2006, 06:33: Well I guess it doesn't pay to be honest anymore! My brother-in-law is well qualified and is receiving immigration assistance from the company that wishes to employ him. He is currently working for them over the Internet from Colombia and billing hours, all quite legal, but he would be a more useful employee if he could be present on the job in Florida. My wife, who also has done everything by the letter of the law, is very frustrated that the family move is taking so long and especially as her only niece is growing older and has never been to Universal and Disney. She is doing all she can to get her sister and niece here for at least a short visit. Her parents come to and fro all the time and have never overstayed a second. They have a home, all their family in Colombia etc. Crazy4Cali is totally missing the point. The intensity of the immigration debate in the US is quite amazing at present. Just this morning in the Miami Herald, a very well designed survey reported that a vast majority accept that illegals currently do work that the legals would not wish to do. My brother-in-law's sponsoring company is currently paying a lawyer here to handle his work visa, forgive me for asking a simple question as to whether we could do the same for family in Bogota. And as for the stupid statement that no favors are granted......I know of several instances where friends of consular officers got visas overnight. Get real, it happens in all embassies of all countries around the world!
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utopiacowboy says on Mar 31, 2006, 06:42: The embassy in Bogota is as corrupt as they come. Yes, a visa can be purchased. The problem is making contact with the right people who can be trusted to deliver. Does your family know anyone in the narco trade? Usually they have reliable contacts. Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Wastelandlive says on Mar 31, 2006, 06:50: The BS on this site cracks me up. "I know of several instances where friends of consular officers got visas overnight. Get real, it happens in all embassies of all countries around the world!" Wasteland 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Orchid Andy says on Mar 31, 2006, 07:18: Far be it from me to argue with such a knowledgeable guy, I know of three instances in Colombia. And just for the record, I did work in the diplomatic service for nearly five years in a position a bit higher than a visa officer so I am not some babe in the woods. You have probably not employed an immigration lawyer but for honest, working middle class folk they are a wee bit pricey. If I want to go to China I front up with my passport and roundtrip ticket and I get my visa the next day. Why should a Colombian in Bogota be treated any differently from an American in New York?
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Crazy4Cali says on Mar 31, 2006, 08:48: Missing the point? The law is not always in harmony with reality and this is especially true when it comes to immigration and immigration policy.
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JMOON87 says on Mar 31, 2006, 09:05: I was told... From what i have heard the C.O.'s already know if they are gonna give you the visa or not before you even go up to be interviewed this why they often dont even look at any papers . I was told this by a C.O.. when we were touring in bogota and one was in our tour group showing family around bogota.
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rjstuff says on Mar 31, 2006, 09:17: I think the most common response in Bogota is No! Except when dealing with K1s and K3s and thank God for that! I also know of people getting visitor's visa when I would have thought they won't and then of course they overstay and abuse the visa! It seems to be on the moon cycle or something like that based on which visitor's visas are granted. Don't be frustrated - try again or use a lawyer and see if it works better or not. Good Luck
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Wastelandlive says on Mar 31, 2006, 10:29: Hey Orchid Andy... OA: "And just for the record, I did work in the diplomatic service for nearly five years in a position a bit higher than a visa officer so I am not some babe in the woods." Wasteland 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Crazy4Cali says on Mar 31, 2006, 11:00: Golly.. I took my boat across country, once, though it was riding on it's trailer.
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Orchid Andy says on Mar 31, 2006, 11:53: Wastelandlive, I don't believe I said that I was working for the U.S. Embassy and indeed I was not. However, I would have been fired if I had treated citizens of the countries I worked in as rudely as the Consular staff treat Colombians in Bogota. You have clearly never had to use immigration lawyers. Just to get my wife into the US and get her permanent residency cost more than $7,000 in lawyer's fees. Multiply that by at least three (it is slower and costs more now) and you might understand why I have difficulty assisting my extended family. Of course you may have a lazy $20,000 under your pillow but I don't. Thank you for your pleasant post, rjstuff. All I wanted was to find out whether others had been similarly treated by the US Embassy in Bogota and if they might have found a solution to the problem. The sarcasm was an unexpected and unwelcome bonus!
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Crazy4Cali says on Mar 31, 2006, 13:56: If you can't take it... If you can't take it, then don't dish it.
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rjstuff says on Mar 31, 2006, 16:15: By the way they do hand out visas to friends! My brother was denied a student visa for USA (he was in India.) Yes this was many years ago! I was with him and we ran across our aunt who rented her house in an area called 'Golf Links' to the US embassy and the first secretary was living there. She called him up and he told her to send my brother to his office. We went to his office the next day (the embassy is in the front and the visa section is in the back.) My brother went in and I was waiting for him. In a few minutes (10 or 15); I see him coming through the front door again (to the waiting area.) He told me that he talked to the first secretary for a few minutes (first secretary is a political appointment and is quite high) and then a man escorted him through a tunnel (he called it a tunnel and maybe it was the basement that was connected - I am not sure.) They took his 16 rupees ($2) visa fee and stamped his passport. But he couldn't come back the same way! So he walked around to the front and then came in to get me! So! I have first hand knowledge of at least one visa being granted to friends and acquaintances -and that's life - If you know people high enough - many doors open to you and sometimes there are people running ahead to open these doors for you. I didn't have any such luck but some people have it happen all the time.
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Christian88 says on Mar 31, 2006, 18:51: Come on, guys, leave poor Andy alone. If he wants to try to find the "magic key" to getting a tourist visa in Bogotá, why not let him? WE might know he's wasting time and money, but if he doesn't trust our answers, why fight it?
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utopiacowboy says on Mar 31, 2006, 20:06: You are right, rjstuff. I had a similar experience about 30 years ago. Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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r3d3 says on Apr 1, 2006, 00:27: They discriminate I have concluded that if you look caucasian, they give you the visa.
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bufalo says on Apr 1, 2006, 04:34: I knew guys who were trafficking in NYC, caught, jailed, deported, then showed up again in no-time with a brand new visa (one was found burned and in pieces outside Medellin, another I think is doing time in Miame, I don't know about the rest). I knew another guy who got in through Miami, he paid $5000 to get a false visa from someone in Bogota, then when in Miami, the acting immigration boss (I forget the title), who was in on it would take him out of the imigration line to "review" his case personally. The boss would take his visa away, to destroy the evidence, then say that the guy was cleared and could go. he was then escorted out of imigration and went on his way. This boss had tons of people pass through this way, mostly his family. From what I heard, he was busted. "If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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miamimike says on Apr 2, 2006, 22:37: Buffalo, that guy in Immigration was one of Several caught selling false stamps/visas. There have been maybe 3 groups in the Miami Area alone in the last 5 years that were caught.The last and most publicized was that Lady and her Husband from Kendall(sw miami) who worked at the Embassy in Mexico city-they sold Visas to the Farc and around 30-40 Farc members passed our borders thanks to her and her husband! She charged from $40,000 and up per visa. The one you speak of, He and his wife actually traveled to Colombia and collected the Loot. He lived at 135th st and Biscayne Blvd.in North Miami. He sold the Visas for $5000+ a pop. He was Colombian American, as was his wife. They are both in the "Crossbar Hotel" on a long vacation for their nefarious activities. Andy-as others have mentioned, for many inconsiderate Colombians who "Overstayed" their Visas in the Past, this is a big reason they are so strict on granting a Visas to your Wife's family members now. So do a little venting at the root cause of the problem. These high number of Overstays are also the reason Colombians have NOT been included in the Visa Lottery for many years. Visa Overstays are factored into what countries are included and what countries are not. Colombia is Not and this(overstays) is an overiding factor. Your wife's brother's US Company has to start the process for the H-1 foreign worker's visa from here in the USA; after it has been approved in the US, it is then sent To Col for him to pick up, from the Emabassy, if I am not mistaken. Good Luck! "Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Orchid Andy says on Apr 3, 2006, 07:57: Thanks miamimike! My brother-in-law has applied for the H11, supported by the architect company he is hoping to work for in Florida but already he has been twice to appointments at the Embassy in Bogota and all they do is tell him they will contact him within 30 days and never do. They are not rich, just a normal middle class family and have spent several thousand dollars already on this matter in addition to what it has cost the sponsoring company. Same for the tourist visas for the other family members. Every time thay have to pay, pay, pay and have nothing to show for it. It is a pity that honest, hard-working Colombians, who would make excellent immigrants, get lumped in with the riff-raff and cheaters.
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GregYohn says on Apr 8, 2006, 06:01: Architect Firm in Miami Hello, 12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Colombo Canadiense says on Apr 12, 2006, 08:24: DISNEY MISTAKE you are right, that's the first question the consular officer asks 100% Colombiano 100% Canadian Greetings from Windsor, Canada 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Mr. Hollywood says on Apr 12, 2006, 09:08: A couple things I don't work for the US Embassy but do know a number of Consular officers socially. I've asked them numerous times about this issue. Ultimately, it comes down to whether they feel the applicant is telling the truth or not and will return to Colombia. Each person has their own subjective set of "indicators" but it's hardly a science or formula.
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utopiacowboy says on Apr 12, 2006, 09:19: My wife wants me to send her sister an "invitation" for her to take to the US embassy with her tourist visa application but I agree with you and I think it's a very bad idea. Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Crazy4Cali says on Apr 12, 2006, 10:21: Ditto If one of the determining factors used is to have a "center of gravity" in Colombia, showing any support, let alone a lot of support, in the U.S. would only make that effort more challenging.
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z_gringo says on Apr 12, 2006, 11:21: Embassy in Bogota I had pretty good luck with the Embassy in Bogota. We wanted to bring my wife's grandmother to the US for a few months after we had a baby. They made an appointment for her and for her son (my wife's uncle). The Embassy immediately denied them both and didn't look at any of the paperwork I had sent. I called the embassy and asked that they speak to my wife's grandmother separately, and they did. They granted the visa and she came to visit for a few months. Now she is back in Colombia.
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jack smith 2 says on Apr 12, 2006, 13:32: As an American I find it kind of insulting that your relative wants to go to Florida to work for the company there and I AS AN AMERICAN CANNOOT EVEN WORK THE WINDOW WHERE ALL THE COLOMBIAN NATIONALS ARE WORKING! The State Department would rather hire Colombians to do the dirty work for cheaper unless they, State, employ their NEPOTISM clause and give the job to a relative which they can do and do do!
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jack smith 2 says on Apr 12, 2006, 14:35: Orchid Andy, you said you spent $7,000 on lawyers fees to get your wife to the US? I feel sorry for you because you could have done it yourself for a lot less. I did it myself.
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calipro says on Apr 16, 2006, 14:26: Incali What you are proposing is highly illegal. I don't know what the fines and sentence would be if caught but it could be stiff.
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utopiacowboy says on Apr 17, 2006, 05:51: Is she hot? Are there any "perks" with the five grand? Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Crazy4Cali says on Apr 17, 2006, 08:51: Cowboy... Make sure you get those "perks" in writing...
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goosekirk says on Apr 18, 2006, 16:33: Sweet! I'm with UC... although I can score my own perks, I just wanna know, how high would these girls bid? Then I can tell my girlfriend I'll cut her a special deal. Half-off, your very own gringo fiancee, today only!
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lawyerincolombia says on Jul 14, 2006, 09:25: Lawyer in Cali Colombia I am a certified lawyer in Colombia. My name is Carlos Arturo Dorado and I can help to you about inmigration and legal problems in Colombia.
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crazi4cali says on Jul 25, 2006, 07:13: Going Rate? I thought the going rate was $10k... you trying to give papaya InCali? You have any pics to post of your friend? Not for me obviously, but... maybe my friend can help your friend! LOL
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