Revocation of Tourist Visa - Informed by Airline at Airport

[gamm3 13]

My Colombian inlaws were flying to visit us today and were informed at the airport that my mother in laws VISA was revoked. Has anyone had this happen to them? There is no valid reason why this would have happened and she has had her VISA for about 5 years with 4 visits in 5 years.

Thanks for any insight or experiences.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

How long was each visit? What else was said at the airport? Are you sure the airline was telling the truth and not looking for a bribe or something?

Edited May 27, 2016 by Harpa Timsah

[Unlockable 7,306]

It actually happens more than you think. You can search this board and find many cases.

The most common reason is too many trips and/or unusually long stays per trip. The US government doesn't foreigners using visitor visa as a way to have a second home in the US.

How frequent and long were her previous trips. Also, when you finally get a hold of her she will tell you what questions the POE asked her or informed her. That will give you an idea.

[KierenHby 897]

The most common reason is too many trips and/or unusually long stays per trip.

That's for the CBP to decide at POE.

[JFH 12,189]

That's for the CBP to decide at POE.

Exactly. Airline check in staff are not government representatives. They can refuse you travel for an expired visa or passport but they shouldn't be making the decisions where there is a valid visa in place. As is often said here, a visa enables the holder to "knock at the door" and ask to come in. They can't do that if they want even get to the door. Quite frankly it's none of their business whether your in laws have visited another country too many times.

I used to work in check in and that sort of decision was not mine to make. My primary responsibility was the safety of the aircraft and that the passengers had passports in the same name as the tickets and that tickets had not been reported to have been purchased fraudulently.

[canadian_wife 1,785]

What airport was the visa rejected at? Your post is not clear if she made it to the U.S. or not.

But I agree with the above posters. Perhaps you can shed some light on the length of the trips she's made in the past.

good luck

[gamm3 13]

This happened at Bogota airport at the Avianca counter. I highly doubt a bribing situation. Avianca receives a list from the embassy of VISAs that have been revoked. I am assuming its from the Consular Lookout and Support System (CLASS). She did not fly to the US. This all happened at the airport while checking in. The VISA was a 5 year VISA from 2011 (2nd 5 year US ViSA) and has only been used for yearly trips no longer than ten days. She was also with 3 other family members (husband and 2 daughters) who had no such revocation of VISA.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

When was it issued. It may be expired this is 2016

[gamm3 13]

It doesn't expire till June 26th - 3 other members of the family with the same expiration date did not have the same thing happen.

[KierenHby 897]

It doesn't expire till June 26th - 3 other members of the family with the same expiration date did not have the same thing happen.

Have they also made similar trips to the US alongside you MIL? ..I'm wondering what stood out specifically about her.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

This happened at Bogota airport at the Avianca counter. I highly doubt a bribing situation. Avianca receives a list from the embassy of VISAs that have been revoked. I am assuming its from the Consular Lookout and Support System (CLASS). She did not fly to the US. This all happened at the airport while checking in. The VISA was a 5 year VISA from 2011 (2nd 5 year US ViSA) and has only been used for yearly trips no longer than ten days. She was also with 3 other family members (husband and 2 daughters) who had no such revocation of VISA.

Well I'm stumped. Sounds fishy to me. Maybe call the embassy?

[aANDg 22]

That's for the CBP to decide at POE.

Yes.. This is true.. I worked as a CSA at the airport for 6 years and what we do usually if there is something wrong with the passenger is we always contact CBP and they will tell you why it has been revoked.. Even a passenger can talk to the CBP officer for him/her to be enlighten and suggest what to do.. I hope the airline called the CBP first before they denied the passenger..

[aaron2020 11,651]

Has your MIL overstayed her I-94 on any of her visits?

[az2014 381]

So she just accepted what they said, without demanding an explanation or to speak to someone that knows? I would have kicked up a BIG fuss.

[JFH 12,189]

If the visa has been revoked then she should be told this by the authority that revoked the visa, not a representative of the airline. How did the embassy know she was travelling with Avianca? How did they know she was traveling at all? Had they contacted all airlines at all airports just in case she decided to travel? Surely if the visa has been revoked they would contact her to advise her of this. We know that embassies are not particularly bothered about our human emotions and feelings but to have people finding out verbally at the check in counter once they've purchased their tickets and made arrangements is a bit much. And isn't very professional.