Girlfriend denied visa and was told she can not get any other type of visa!

john_stark says on Jan 13, 2008, 11:04:

Maybe. The first rule at the embassy is NEVER lie. If they think you're lying you're toast. Clearly they thought she was lying to them.

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mranderson says on Jan 13, 2008, 11:11:

The embassy automatically assumes that everyone applying for a tourist visa is going to immigrate. It is up to the applicant to convince the interviewing consular otherwise and they are already pretty much convinced that everybody is lying to them. Their job is to keep as many colombians out of the u.s. as possible. Try "el hueco" It may be the only way.

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kalder says on Jan 13, 2008, 11:13:

John's piece of advice is sterling.

I know people who told the British Embassy a couple of white lies, hoping to expedite a visa application. Not wise. It set their cause back 18 months, a shed load of paperwork, tribunal hearings, frantic letter writing, lawyers, thousands of pounds etc.

And I gather the US Embassy is even more resolute and merciless in these matters.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jan 13, 2008, 11:17:

As discussed before, that outdoor area at the embassy must be some pretty valuable retail space. I bet they get 500 applicants a day at a minimum of $100 a pop. That's $50,000 a day in gross receipts or over $10 million per year. Cost are negligible - throw a bunch of clerks behind the bullet proof glass, hire a bunch of low cost Colombians to provide security and crowd control, and deny 95% of the applicants. I'm surprised, though, they don't have more in-depth application forms. They could deny more people by mail/internet/phone and not have to spend as much money on security guards and building maintenance.

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aztec says on Jan 13, 2008, 11:51:

All of the members of my wife's family both poor and rich have been awarded a visa except one. A niece who has two masters degrees and a job. Reason for her denial?

She lied to a very simple question. The interviewer asked her if she had relatives currently in the US. She has a sister here on a TPS. Incredibility, she said no she did not! The information was directly in front of the interviewer on her PC.

She has appealed the decision and actually had a review with the same result. A denial.

Moral of this story. Never lie to the interviewer!

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ColombianoGringo says on Jan 13, 2008, 12:45:

I guess my family is just lucky. All my cousins, aunts and uncles and grandparents have always gotten whatever tourist or student visas for which they applied. The only one ever denied a tourist visa was my uncle's ex-wife and she got denied for being a smart ass. When the officer asked how much my uncle made, she answered "Don't ask me. It says right there on the form."

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lpdiver says on Jan 13, 2008, 13:24:

I seriously doubt that she would be denied a spousal or fiancee visa. My wife was three times denies a visa prior to meeting me. She was also denied a tourist visa after meeting me.

We had no problems with the K-3 visa.

Of course the embassy thinks it is possible to meet and fall in love. Then marry and never return to Colombia. It happens ALL THE TIME. That is one of the reasons that they reject so many from Colombia.

t

t

"cook some rice!"

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slguy says on Jan 13, 2008, 13:59:

Funny story, CG. Can't blame the interviewer, either. We've got more than our share of smartasses here, already.

Apparently your uncle's ex isn't the sharpest blade in the drawer, huh? ;)

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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Medellin Traveler says on Jan 13, 2008, 15:35:

buyslake -

Sorry to hear about your situation.

My "amiga" has an appointment on Friday. We were talking about the interview the other day and she was asking me what she should say about being asked certain questions and I told her," say the truth."

I will speak to her later tonight, and remind her again. If you lie and are rejected, you will come out regretting it and kicking yourself in the rear-end after wasting all that money, time and effort.

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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acpm69 says on Jan 13, 2008, 16:16:

It is better not to say you have guy friends in the US because they'll automatically assume that she wants to marry you.
As a matter of fact, when I came to the US to meet my husband, even though I already had my visa, everyone advised me not to say I was coming into the country to meet my single friend, because they would not let me enter the country!!!
It will be better if you ask for a fiancee visa now, you have 3 months or so to make up your mind.

Colombianita

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acpm69 says on Jan 13, 2008, 16:17:

oh, BTW, I did lie when applying for my tourist Visa!!! I said I was going to visit my "aunt" even though I didn't have any relatives here and they granted me the visa!!!

Colombianita

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john_stark says on Jan 13, 2008, 16:20:

All I can say is you're lucky. They might have asked for her phone number so they could call and talk to her.

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buyslake says on Jan 13, 2008, 22:14:

Ok there is some remarks here but I really wonder if they will deny the fiancee visa? We should have tried for that first. Now I feel our chances for that are poor because of what he told her.

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MitchAlvarez says on Jan 13, 2008, 22:44:

Oh oh MT has an amiga applying for visa!!!!!!!! do i hear wedding bells?

lol no wonder he's rushing to medellin next week.

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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Medellin Traveler says on Jan 14, 2008, 03:36:

NOPE!

I've been single all my life. If I were to get married it would definitely not be with an Americanized woman, that's for sure. Also, don't think I would ever marry anyone in another country and bring them to the US. If I lived in another country like say Medellin, I would think about it seriously. I love being single. I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, with whomever I want.

There are a few Paisas, young and not as young, who have travelled outside of Colombia many times. One of the families I met on my first trip has travelled, studying and has family living abroad. A son is studying in the US, another works in France, the mother just returned from a month long trip to Europe. These are not estrato 5 Paisas either. So, I have to admit I was surprised that they could actually afford to do so much travelling with 4 sons who have all benefited from a great education, due to sacrafices of both parents.

My friend is an accountant and has family in the US. Her friend is coming to NY to see her son graduate in May.

Jejejeje... a simple NO probably would have been more than enough.

Medellin 8 days!

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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elmodefoque says on Jan 14, 2008, 04:47:

WAY WAY WAY WAY TOOO MANY COLOMBIANS IN USA ALREADY AND MORE WANNA GET IN.
One of the main reasons I’m choosing self deportation is cus of the insane number of Colombian already here, mostly illegal, and they are not looking for Mexican type jobs, cooks, delivery boys etc, they demand well paying gringo jobs, my fokin job, toilet cleaning Administrator.
When my dad got here in the late 50’s he was the ONLY Colombian in USA, soon after, I arrived. Now these modefoquea are all over the fokin place.
Why don’t they go up to Canada or something, they only have like half a dozen over there or Europe to join lonely Kat.
Why not stay colombia just like 99.9% of all costeños
Thank you!!

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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elmodefoque says on Jan 14, 2008, 04:51:

My costeño but living in Medellin in-laws just left on Saturday, after a 3 months vacation. My young brother in-law could not wait to get the fok outta here and they were staying in the most diverse city in the planet, imagine if they had stayed in Alabama or something

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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Gator says on Jan 14, 2008, 07:21:

GIB and John S are right on this-probably shot down the K-1 route also.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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miamimike says on Jan 14, 2008, 09:07:

In 1988 (pre Embassy computers) a friend of ours applied for a Tourist Visa. She was rejected for whatever reason. In 1996, she married a Colombian US Citizen (who resided in Bogota) and they wanted to visit her new Husband's dad in LA. She went to the US Embassy in Bogota and during an interview, she was asked if she ever applied for any type of a Visa before. She said No and Beleive it or Not, they had a record of her prior application in front of them where she was rejected in 1988, 8 years prior. She was turned down for a Visa on this one simple fact--they say she lied. She says she forgot! How do you forget applying for a US Visa?? Its not something you do every day for God's Sake,,,Moral of the Story--have your ducks lined up correctly before you speak to these folks,,,And another reason Colombians today have such a hard time getting a simple tourist visa is because in the past, many Colombians who have received a US Toursit Visa have overstayed their US Visit and now because of it, Today, honest well intentioned Colombians are penalized for it with NO visa,,,Its also a big reason(tourist visa overstays) why the Country of Colombia is not included in the Annual US Visa Lottery! Whose fault is that??

"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.

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LilaM says on Jan 14, 2008, 09:36:

What i understand about the Lottery visas are for countries that bring less than 50.000 visitors a year and colombia is over that number.... way way long.

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don´t try" B. Sills

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jan 14, 2008, 10:12:

Whose fault is that? Why George W. Bush's, of course! Consider this irrefutable evidence:

- he lives in the District of Columbia/Colombia
- in the Roman alphabet, the B in Bush is next to the C in Colombia
- George can easily be translated into Spanish as Jorge

Case closed.

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miamimike says on Jan 14, 2008, 10:43:

Tinto- I fail to see the Bush connection as far as Colombia being excluded from the Visa Sorteo/Lottery,,,He isn't at all well liked or admired in Col but not for this reason,,,LOL

"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.

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msaucey says on Jan 14, 2008, 10:45:

Buyslake, she's going to have to wait another year to apply for a Visa again... In that time, hopefully you can make it out to Colombia and propose and marry... all that fun stuff... The best thing to do is at least try.... Chances of getting a Visitor Visa are Now Zero.... I'm sure that if you go for a Fiance Visa, and you appear with her then it should be easier.... After all, when she applied the first time it was a blossoming relationship and since that time has grown....

That's probably going to be your best bet.....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jan 14, 2008, 10:46:

I was making a dumb joke about how some people attribute all the problems in the world to him, however flimsy the connection.

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elmodefoque says on Jan 14, 2008, 10:50:

Bush is not responsible for all that is wrong, the fokin illegal mexicans are to blame for all the problems in USA and the world. Republican party

thank you

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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elmodefoque says on Jan 14, 2008, 10:51:

mexicans= disaster

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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morphus says on Jan 14, 2008, 10:54:

Elmo, what about those 2 Mexicans you met at the St Marks Ale House? They were friendly with you and your brother-in-law.

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elmodefoque says on Jan 14, 2008, 10:54:

way, way, way tooo many colombins in usa!!
i yearn for the good all days when the only spics around were puerto ricans and cubanos habla mierda

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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elmodefoque says on Jan 14, 2008, 10:56:

mexicans love colombians. but many uppery colombianas don't like them.
those guys were cool. i love talking to mexicans

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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elmodefoque says on Jan 14, 2008, 10:59:

a lotta the mexicans in my hood speak injun but i don't understand what the fok they be saying. I want them to teach me their native language and teach them to speak corroncho.

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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elmodefoque says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:02:

morph lets go there wednesday, are you free?
in my social appointment calendar i'm open for that day and the next 20,000 fokin days .

this is my last week in NYC

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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morphus says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:02:

Yeah, I had a friend from Nicaragua that was married to a Paisa woman. He hooked up his wife's friend, another Paisa with a Mexican guy. The Mexican guy got excited and wanted her to marry him the first day. She got scared and never called him again...LOL

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ColombianoGringo says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:05:

How long ago was the visa lottery stopped for Colombia? My brother's brother-in-law got his green card that way.

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morphus says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:18:

I think they should let all Colombians come to the U.S. There are so many Mexicans strolling accross the border, what difference would it make?

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elmodefoque says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:20:

colombians will take gringo jobs, mexican wont

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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elmodefoque says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:21:

how many colombians you know pickin lettuce

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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MitchAlvarez says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:21:

oh god now you guys are putting mexicans and colombians in the same sentence? confunda pero no offenda.

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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elmodefoque says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:22:

jajajajaj

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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LilaM says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:26:

Well it has to be in the 90´s but the only latinos that can apply are Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Aruba
Bahamas Barbados Belize
Bolivia Chile Costa Rica
Cuba Dominica French Guiana
Grenada Guadeloupe Guyana
Honduras Martinique Nicaragua
Panama Paraguay Puerto Rico
Reunion Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Suriname Trinidad and Tobago
Uruguay Venezuela Virgin Islands, U.S.

But if your spouse, father or mother are US Citizens you can apply for visa lottery

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don´t try" B. Sills

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elmodefoque says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:26:

you think i'm gonna pick lettuce and cook breakfast? hell nooooooo!!
i clean toilets but it pays damn good
you pick lettuce for 12 hours 6 days a week to make only $275 dollars, fok that

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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morphus says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:33:

How about let everybody in the U.S. except the Mexicans?

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elmodefoque says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:35:

no good, nobody works as hard as them and anyway they were here way before even my monkey ass.

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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elmodefoque says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:36:

if you can't walk over here, fok you!

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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morphus says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:37:

They would'nt even let this Cuban guy in and he was able to convert a car into a boat

1st attempt



2nd attempt

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elmodefoque says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:38:

to get here most modefoque had to cross some fokin ocean, i could walk here but is one hell of a fokin walk from la guajira.

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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slguy says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:40:

Lila? what IS your list? countries eligible for the lottery? if so- there's a glaring screwup in the list....come to think of it, whatever the list is, if it has anything to do with immigration, PR doesn;t belong there, given that 'ricans ARE US citizens.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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elmodefoque says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:47:

them thar cubans are funny modefoques.
if i lived in cuba i'll convert my burrito into some floating device and have him swim to key fokin largo or something

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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Enrique187 says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:53:

why are so many Haitians allowed into South Florida with little skill yet Colombians with professional backgrounds and money to invest can't even sniff the country?

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Robert Jorge says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:55:

That's a great question Enrique. That has also crossed my mind. And so many are upstanding citizens too.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Robert Jorge says on Jan 14, 2008, 11:58:

I shouldn't have said that and I take that back. I am sure most Haitians in the US are decent people. I have had a few bad, personal experiences that aren't indicative of an entire group of people.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Enrique187 says on Jan 14, 2008, 12:01:

I haven't had any bad experiences with Haitians, but many don't attempt to speak the language and just take up all the menial jobs. They're all over down here now. Why isn't the US so stringent on Haitian immigration?

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elmodefoque says on Jan 14, 2008, 12:01:

Free colombian CHUCHA=pro colombian
NO CHUCHA= fok the colombians (me)

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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slguy says on Jan 14, 2008, 12:06:

I'm not so sure that Haitians get any more of a free pass than any other group- and they certainly don't get the asskissing reception our cuban brothers receive.

I have a number of Haitian friends, and have visited Haiti several times. I assure you, if you came from Haiti, your outlook on life would be different, too.

I've never seen a country where the countrymen distrust each other as much as Haitians do - but again, there's a reason. when you have little, and everyone around you will relieve of what little you have at the drop of a hat- life is viewed thru a different prism.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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Robert Jorge says on Jan 14, 2008, 12:29:

I hired some Haitian guys from Immokalee when I managed the Levi's Outlet in Estero. I really wanted to help them out and give them a start with a job. When I was on vacation for a week, they were caught by mall security filling up a truck with my store's clothes. Right in the front parking lot. It really hurt my feelings. Then one of them actually called me at home and asked me to drop the charges. I said no, so then I was called a racist. (Much more colorful terms were used) Anyway, I admit I shouldn't judge an entire group of people based on one experience. It is easy though to fall into that trap.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Medellin Traveler says on Jan 14, 2008, 14:18:

"you think i'm gonna pick lettuce and cook breakfast? hell nooooooo!!
i clean toilets but it pays damn good
you pick lettuce for 12 hours 6 days a week to make only $275 dollars, fok that" - mofo

I would never speak to anyone who cleaned toilets for a living, it's beneath me.

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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LilaM says on Jan 14, 2008, 14:23:

mmm yes slguy, is wierd that on that list are PR but anyway, the thing is that no one from colombia can apply...

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don´t try" B. Sills

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miamimike says on Jan 14, 2008, 17:43:

CG--How long has Col been excluded from the Visa Lottery-as least 5 years(more or less) that I am aware of-it may be longer.

SL Guy--They should shut the Cubans out of this Visa Lottery like Yesterday! How many Illegal Cubans wash up everyday on our shores due to a FastBoat Smuggler? Today, 36 Arrived, yesterday 19 arrived. Way too many Cubans here-shut them down and give others a chance. BTW, they let 20,000 Cubans per Year apply for Immigrant Visas to start with so they should get nothing extra! Way too much of a Preference Already then when they get here, they scam Medicare, Car and house Insurance companies and some open their own Smuggling Operation. Its a wonderful life,,,

"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.

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Enrique187 says on Jan 14, 2008, 18:38:

I agree 100 percent about the Cubans. Let others have a chance.

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eywed says on Jan 14, 2008, 19:29:

Colombians can do the same as the Cubans did. The Colombians just need to rally together and get a couple of politications on there side and put pressure on Washington. It's going to take money and time. Will Colombians rally together and part with their money?

Ay Hombe!!!!!

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aztec says on Jan 15, 2008, 07:28:

The Visa Lottery should be stopped immediately!

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morphus says on Jan 15, 2008, 09:14:

Sometimes Haitians wash up in Cuba by accident. They get their asses kicked before being sent back to Haiti...Ha Ha!

Fok it! Send everybody to Canada...Ha Ha!

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manINred says on Jan 15, 2008, 13:11:

"Fok it! Send everybody to Canada...Ha Ha!"

I think that's a good idea, anything to reduce the proportion of Don Cherries in our country and help make the non-toronto/montreal aspect of Canada more interesting. Who am I kidding, those who come here will inevitably end up in those 2 cities regardless.

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tomtom33 says on Jan 15, 2008, 13:16:

What is a Don Cherry?

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manINred says on Jan 15, 2008, 13:20:

Don Cherry is an odious anti-foreigner Canadian. He is a hockey personality who isn't even good at hockey analysis/prediction. He's short-sighted and sums up the antagonistic xenophobic element of Canadian society that I detest.

He has certain good points though, he donates and promotes charitable foundations, so I'll give him that.

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bopenyan says on Jan 15, 2008, 16:03:

Don Cherry also is notorious for his stiff high collared shirts and has a cute dog. His claim to fame is that he was a coach for a WHA hockey team (the Islanders ?) that scored a Stanley Cup win sometime in the 70s

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john_stark says on Jan 15, 2008, 20:52:

Don Cherry is a frigging national hero in Canada.

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miamimike says on Jan 16, 2008, 22:45:

Morphus--if a Haitian washes up on Cuba's Shore they are allowed to stay. In comparison to where they come from, Cuba, lacking as it is, is a BIG step up from whence they came.

"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.

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tomtom33 says on Jan 17, 2008, 02:25:

MM, what does that say about the DR?

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miamimike says on Jan 18, 2008, 15:13:

the DR, reletively speaking, is PARADISE in comparison,,,

"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.

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slguy says on Jan 18, 2008, 15:18:

I've spent a fair amount of time in both Haiti and the DR. hard to believe they share an island.....

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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Medellin Traveler says on Jan 18, 2008, 18:46:

My friend was denied her visa today.

She told me all about the reactions from the others who were also rejected. I feel sad. How many people work hard, save money, and get their hopes up thinking that because they work hard and believe in God, that things will work out only to loose out in time spent, money, energy and hopes, all for not.

She is sad, but positive above all, because she had the opportunity to fly to Bogota in a plane.

She mentioned that people where crying, breaking down in public, swearing off the USA!

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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LilaM says on Jan 18, 2008, 19:11:

Sorry to hear that MT, sometimes there is no reason for that..

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don´t try" B. Sills

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john_stark says on Jan 18, 2008, 21:57:

They should be swearing off the USA. Why they even want to come to this god-forsaken place is beyond me. Better Australia.

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tomtom33 says on Jan 19, 2008, 01:36:

The door swings both ways, UC. Why do you live in a country that you so obviously hate?

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podborski says on Jan 19, 2008, 06:56:

Don Cherry is a TV personality who plays a role to get high ratings, which he does. I can't believe anyone thinks he's serious.

Do you think he wears the ridiculous shirts/ties/suits because he thinks they look good?

My mom drops everything to run and see what latest outrageous thing he will say. I think he's great, even if I disagree with him : )

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podborski says on Jan 19, 2008, 08:55:

you don't understand tomtom, UC actually LOVES the USA, but he's so torn up about it not being exactly the way he wants he has decided to rant about it in the belief that this will somehow cause it to shape up : )

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tomtom33 says on Jan 19, 2008, 10:17:

In other words UC and the US are one in the same. The US wants to fix the world and UC wants to fix the US. Buen suerte, UC. I just thank God that the US doesn't do what I think we ought to do.

Even though I went to the U of Wis. in the 60's, I never felt a personal need to try to fix anything except, of course, for me.

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john_stark says on Jan 19, 2008, 10:29:

Nah, I could care less what happens to this shithole. The Mexicans can have it as far as I am concerned. Eight years of Bush have fucked the place up irrevocably. I just feel sorry for the losers who have to live here forever - they'll be living worse than the Indians and the Chinese in a couple of decades.

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tomtom33 says on Jan 19, 2008, 10:34:

In a couple of decades, I'll be dead.

May I take it that you are not a staunch Republican? No president has single-handedly done anything. You can't be a Dem. either because they are running both houses now.

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dale_p says on Jan 19, 2008, 13:58:

I have found that a call to your congressman's office with a request for assistance takes care of such problems very quickly. I have seen cases where the US had said the person would have to wait a year and the congressman's office got them a visa in a month. They will simply call the Embajada de EEUU in Bogota and open the door for your girl friend. If the embassy knows that she has a real American in the states pulling for her, things will go much smoother. The other question you need to consider has to be whether she thinks of you as her boyfriend or potential boyfriend or just an easy ticket to the states. With her reply at the Embassy, you need to at least consider it. The embassy is looking to weed these ones out so as to protect American citizens like yourself. If this is the case they just might have done you a favor. Either way if you need help I would call your congressman.

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tomtom33 says on Jan 19, 2008, 15:34:

Damn good idea, Dale. And you could call both of your Senators as well.

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JumboBond007 says on Jan 20, 2008, 02:10:

"Moral of this story. Never lie to the interviewer!"

I agree with you 100%. My ex-girlfriend from Cali lie to me too many times, so were the other girls whom I tried to get to know better. I guess it is natural for many Colombian girls to lie !!!

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mranderson says on Jan 20, 2008, 05:22:

You can call as many senators and congressmen as you like and it probably won't make a difference. I was in contact with the office of 2 senators and a congressman. 2 of them wrote to the embassy in bogota and I still can't get my wife a tourist visa. I also have a relative that works for the department of state overseas and he also said good luck.

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slguy says on Jan 20, 2008, 10:13:

mranderson is correct. I have a childhood friend who is now a sitting US senator. I asked his help in getting a brasileira friend a visa. Homeland Security, et al basically told him to suck air.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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tomtom33 says on Jan 20, 2008, 11:59:

Congressional inquires will not, in and of themselves, get VISAs. What they will do is increase the care with which your request is handled. I worked for the Feds for 9 years. Congressional inquiries were never taken lightly even when there was no substance to the complaint. Each inquiry gets a written response from the agency.

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john_stark says on Jan 20, 2008, 13:30:

I'm with Tomtom on this one. In my experience congressional involvement will not change a "No" into a "Yes". It can speed up getting the "Yes" or "No" that you were going to get anyway. In her case I just don't think that it's going to do any good.

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robi666 says on Jan 20, 2008, 13:36:

"I agree with you 100%. My ex-girlfriend from Cali lie to me too many times, so were the other girls whom I tried to get to know better. I guess it is natural for many Colombian girls to lie !!!"

And it is not natural for a gringo to detect their lies.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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miamimike says on Jan 24, 2008, 03:06:

In 1994 I went to my Florida Congressman, Bill Young(R) to intercede on my behalf in helping an Honest Teacher Friend from Bogota secure a Tourist Visa for a Disneyland Visit. His Faxes to the US Embassy in Bogota were of NO avail. She applied twice afterwards for a Visa and despite having a Good Job in Bogota with family ties and NO criminal record, she was shot down again, again and again, all 3 times. She finally gave up and visited Euro Disneyland in France. Round about way to see Mickey but she was not to be put off! LOL

"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.

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