Is it possible to overcome old ties to the US?

[Always tomato 0]

In 2011, my now ex, then boyfriend was invited by my family to visit for a couple weeks during one of his breaks from University. He applied for a B-2 and told the VO his intentions to visit my family and then return to Peru, bringing with him a letter of invitation from my family. He was denied quickly the first time and reapplied a few months later, bringing with him a new letter and more evidence of ties to Peru. He was denied again and I had to go visit him instead.

We've been broken up since September of 2014 but remained in contact. He graduated with a B.Sc. in August of 2013 and has ambitions to go to eventually go to graduate school for Computer Science, but he was rejected from all the schools he applied to in 2013. One of the factors in his rejection was a low TOEFL score, so a friend suggested he pursue an English program in the US to make the best use of his time, since he has held a steady job for the 2 years since he graduated and is considered a highly valuable employee.

I helped him prepare his application and find a school that suited his needs. He has full support from his boss at work and has more than enough funds to cover his tuition, room and board, etc. When he went for his interview, the VO immediately brought up his ties to my family from when he applied for a visitor visa in 2011. He explained that this time he was going for strictly academic purposes, but the VO stopped asking questions and subsequently denied him.

While I understand that ties to the US can make things difficult, I don't see how this is fair-- he has already paid a $500 deposit for this school (indicated on his I-20) and provided all the necessary documentation. The only factor is the two previous denials on the basis of being unable to disprove his intent to immigrate with my family.

Is there anything he or I can do to overcome this?

ETA: He's 25 years old now, if that makes a difference.

Edited July 8, 2015 by Always tomato

[Always tomato 0]

I also forgot to mention that his mom (Peruvian) is sponsoring him.

[Boiler 43,429]

US is a big country did he point out the distance involved Ed between where you are and where his. College is?

[Always tomato 0]

No, he did not mention the difference of locations. I don't think it would have helped, anyway, because the school is located in an adjacent state to where my family lives.

[usmsbow 795]

Ha, maybe he should apply for a school that's very far away from you then. That might help a little, and certainly wouldn't hurt.

[Boiler 43,429]

That certainly would have been better, but the situation is what it is.

Where I am the next door state is a days drive away, but of course can be much nearer elsewhere.

The important thing is that he gets his language skills up to speed and as US does not seem practical I would look elsewhere. I am surprised he can not take classes locally.

[Always tomato 0]

I feel like if the officer brought it up so quickly, it would probably be a waste of time for him to apply again, even at a far away school. That really sucks, I'm both surprised and not surprised that this stupid invitation from 4 years ago followed him. Imagine if we weren't even talking any more-- surprise, your ex has ruined your chances of ever taking a voluntary trip to the USA! What sweet revenge that would be if we weren't on good terms.

The fact that there are English programs available in one's own country is not grounds to refuse a student visa. He chose to study in the states because the clients he works with at his job are all American and his English is already intermediate to advanced level. It's his speaking primarily that needs work, and where better to practice than a nation of native speakers? Alas, I guess he's bound to the meager offerings in Lima.

[usmsbow 795]

What about Canada? Might be easier to get a student visa there.

[Always tomato 0]

That's a fair possibility. Wonder what his chances would be there.

[Boiler 43,429]

http://www.eslbase.com/schools/peru

A list of ESL schools in Peru.

When I was in Mexico there were USC's teaching English and I would have thought there would be in Peru.

A friend of mine did teach ESL in South America, some years back, but he was English, I am sure there are Americans who do the same. I have seen quite a few USC's who taught English abroad and now returning with a spouse post on this site.

Edited July 8, 2015 by Boiler

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

3 denials seems chances are not promising anymore.