My cousin was sent back to Colombia, and Couldn't get in US

pointofview says on Aug 25, 2004, 09:52:

Mother of 2 Your cousin should have never mentioned marriage in her interview but that's water under the bridge. She could have married in the USA and filed a change of status but she cannot be telling immigration at the point of entry she is coming to USA to get married as that requires a K-1 Visa. He can't marry her in Colombia without a Colombian Marriage Visa or resident status. If I was in that position I would go to the US Embassy and specifically talk to the US Ambassador (pleading my case) claiming a big misunderstanding.

If all of that failed I would check out the laws of Panama or Ecuador and see if they could be married there returning to the US Embassy in Bogota to obtain a USA resident card for his new wife which when issued would allow her to enter the USA. It's not a good story and the fix will take a lot time and money to repair. If he marries her (anywhere) he will be able to bring her (evidentually) to the USA even if he is stationed in Iraq. Actually, the fact that he is serving in the military in Iraq might get his case or situation some more needed attention and assitance to expedite it.

I think Utopia Cowboy is the person to communicate with regarding this matter.

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motherof2 says on Aug 25, 2004, 10:01:

She never mention that, they though it was weird she came in april, and then she wanted to come back 4 months later, wich is stupid, but she just told them she wanted to visit and bring her little girl, because the first time she came by herself, the put them in this little office with an orange folder for hours, and check her purse, they saw some address (from her fiancee) and little notes, and they though it was weird, then, they found some birth certificates and documentation that inmediatly made them jump to the conclusion she was gonna get married here, she told them, she wasn't planning on doing that, she is just gettin all the papers together.

they never believe her, and now they really don't know what to do. he is a military guy, maybe that is helpfull to get in the embassy.

thanks

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pointofview says on Aug 25, 2004, 10:08:

That Sucks She and her finance should travel to the US Embassy today demanding to see the US Ambassador or his/her administrative assistant. He needs to contact his US Senator and Congressman from his district and ask for their assistance. He needs to press all the buttons. He is serving his country laying his life on the line so they need to listen to him. It wouldn't be unusal to be carrying your birth certificate during international travel. It was just part of her travel documents in case someone demanded proof of place of birth or residence for her or her daughter.

If it was me I would beat the doors of the Embasssy down demanding they right this obvious injustice. If nothing else maybe they can get the US Visas reissued.

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 25, 2004, 11:55:

You may be right, pointofview, but I would not be too optimistic about this succeeding - might be enough to get their tourist visas back. I don't have much to add to pointofview's advice. Since he lives in North Carolina, her fiance would be applying to the Texas Service Center for a K-1 fiance visa. As of August 18, 2004 they were processing petitions dated June 1, 2004 so they are taking about 2 1/2 months to act on these petitions. In view of his deplayment in November, it's really hard to know what he should do. DCF at the embassy in Bogota is only open to US citizens who are residents of Colombia. The K-3 process right now is even slower than the K-1.

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.

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Rico says on Aug 25, 2004, 13:13:

USA: Give the guy a break... Man, they should give this military man a break. After all, he will be going to a very, very dangerous place: IRAQ! That's really a shame!

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daver says on Aug 25, 2004, 14:14:

It all has to do with "dual" intent. If you have a travel VISA to the US, this is expressing "termporary" stay, so if they think you are going to get married, you are expressing a "permanent" stay. This is an automatic ticket back home.

I have known a few Canadians who ran into the same problems at the US border.

I hope it works out for them,

Dave

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Dan says on Aug 26, 2004, 09:51:

mother of 2 I sent an email to the address you have posted on this website.
Take care,
Daniel

God Bless America!

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motherof2 says on Aug 29, 2004, 11:04:

Thanks for all the advice, seems like they don't have much to do, but wait.
Daniel: I sent you an email, thanks for your good advice.


MILENA

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