Revocation of Tourist Visa - Informed by Airline at Airport

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Please read the thread before commenting - and learn how to spell Colombia.... (Sorry the constant "somone from Colombia" stereotypes can get annoying.)

It was not CBP deciding whether to let her enter or not - it was at the airline - she was already on a list. Plus three other family members accompanying her to do the same thing would have been fine.

That's what really pisses us off - begging to be let into the United States to spend a bunch of money on your future grandchild.

I actually did spell it that way and it was autocorrected but thanks for telling me how to visa journey ?

My comment stands as cbp likely would deem it suspicious had she got to that point.

[jan22 2,898]

It is unlikely that you will get anyone to provide information on the phone -- visa records are confidential (between the State Department and the visa holder/applicant) and there is no means to confirm the identity of a caller over the phone. It is also possible that, at this point, the Embassy may or may not know why the visa was revoked if it was done by an entity other than the Embassy itself. The best/fastest way to get the answer is to apply for a new visa.

[gamm3 13]

Update: Called embassy and they said to email embassy for more information.

Will continue to update as we get information to assist others who might have this happen to them.

[gamm3 13]

Update: email response from embassy said - your VISA is not valid - you must reapply. And that was it.

!!!! aghhh!

[TBoneTX 43,081]

With no explanation? Good grief.

[Dakine10 5,452]

With no explanation? Good grief.

That indicates the embassy was not the one's who revoked it. This makes sense since the embassy would likely have already notified them.

[gamm3 13]

That indicates the embassy was not the one's who revoked it. This makes sense since the embassy would likely have already notified them.

Are you sure that it indicates that? I'm not sure and would like to hear more of your reasoning. By the way the email was sent to the embassy non immigrant Visas email and the response came from the Fraud Prevention Unit.

We are now pursuing a release of records from the State Department through our congresswoman, so we will see how that goes.

Edited June 1, 2016 by gamm3

[ryna 132]

3 days would possibly be suspicious sounding to cbp. That's an expensive trip for someone from Columbia for 3 days.

No, it isn't... I went to Colombia 8 times in 2010, several of which were only 3 or 4 day weekend trips. It's under a 4 hour flight from some parts of the U.S. - easier than going to California.

[Marc_us82 49]

No, it isn't... I went to Colombia 8 times in 2010, several of which were only 3 or 4 day weekend trips. It's under a 4 hour flight from some parts of the U.S. - easier than going to California.

That's right, and it's not even that expensive, I paid $67 from Ft Lauderdale to Cartagena with Spirit airlines!

[Dakine10 5,452]

Are you sure that it indicates that? I'm not sure and would like to hear more of your reasoning. By the way the email was sent to the embassy non immigrant Visas email and the response came from the Fraud Prevention Unit.

We are now pursuing a release of records from the State Department through our congresswoman, so we will see how that goes.

If the embassy revoked the visa, they would have attempted to notify her in the first place. So combine that with the fact that they can't tell you why would suggest to me that that it didn't come from the embassy. However I'm not saying that's a certainty.

As jan22 pointed out, the quickest way to find out is apply for a new visa. Whatever caused the visa to be revoked will be discovered during that process. It could also lead to the next visa being denied though, but you will know what the issue is.

Going through your congresswoman may get to the why, but there's no guarantee of when. If you are doing to go that route, I would still suggest they fill out the DHS traveler redress inquiry forms.

[gamm3 13]

If the embassy revoked the visa, they would have attempted to notify her in the first place. So combine that with the fact that they can't tell you why would suggest to me that that it didn't come from the embassy. However I'm not saying that's a certainty.

As jan22 pointed out, the quickest way to find out is apply for a new visa. Whatever caused the visa to be revoked will be discovered during that process. It could also lead to the next visa being denied though, but you will know what the issue is.

Going through your congresswoman may get to the why, but there's no guarantee of when. If you are doing to go that route, I would still suggest they fill out the DHS traveler redress inquiry forms.

I posted up on an earlier part of a thread an explanation that says they are not required to notify you of a VISA revocation.

The issue with just applying for a new tourist VISA is we want to know why it was revoked to go into the interview as well prepared as possible to answer the questions/concerns they have. We don't want to risk a denial just for being unprepared with the proper documents. What if it is someone with the same name? We were able to check that her last exit out of the US was registered, so its not that...

I can see what you're saying with how long it will take. I kind of would like her to just apply again and probably it will be fine, but years of mistrust and power differentials between Colombians and the US embassy are all rearing their ugly heads again and they are being extremely careful with this. THey are even considering hiring a lawyer which usually I would be totally against thinking we can do it all ourselves.

We'll do the traveler redress forms as well.

Edited June 1, 2016 by gamm3

[Dakine10 5,452]

I posted up on an earlier part of a thread an explanation that says they are not required to notify you of a VISA revocation.

The issue with just applying for a new tourist VISA is we want to know why it was revoked to go into the interview as well prepared as possible to answer the questions/concerns they have. We don't want to risk a denial just for being unprepared with the proper documents. What if it is someone with the same name? We were able to check that her last exit out of the US was registered, so its not that...

We'll do the traveler redress forms as well.

They aren't required to notify but they are supposed to make an attempt. Generally it would be to the last known address.

I asked earlier about ever losing or misplacing her passport/visa. One reason a visa can get revoked is if someone else tries to use it or a forged copy of it. It's not common, but it does happen.

I do hope you can get this resolved as expediently as possible. I can only imagine how frustrated I would be with the situation.

[jan22 2,898]

Are you sure that it indicates that? I'm not sure and would like to hear more of your reasoning. By the way the email was sent to the embassy non immigrant Visas email and the response came from the Fraud Prevention Unit.

We are now pursuing a release of records from the State Department through our congresswoman, so we will see how that goes.

As you said your family's visas were about to expire, what's the issue with her applying and, during that process, find out and respond to the issues that led to the visa revocation? The State Department is unlikely to release any sustantive information (especially to a third party, i.e., not the applicant/visa holder) on a visa revocation. All you will likely get via that route -- after some time -- is a general statement along the lines that information indicated that the individual may no longer qualify for the visa and that they should re-apply to have the case reviewed. Edited June 1, 2016 by jan22

[gamm3 13]

Update: I wrote a letter to my congresswoman (DC) asking for help with a federal agency. I explained the situation of what happened to my mother-in-law and asked for help in petitioning the State Department to release the records of why her tourist visa was revoked. I also included a release from my mother in law saying that they could release her records to me and a copy of her passport and VISA. I cc-ed the Fraud Prevention Unit at the Bogota Embassy that had responded to my mother in law's inquiry about her tourist Visa in the email as well.

Yesterday, about two weeks later, I received a response from the Non Immigrant Visa Unit at the Bogota Embassy saying that my mother in law's visa had been revoked in April after they tried to contact her to come in for a follow-up interview. They also said she should bring in any documents related to criminal or arrest history if she wants to reapply.

We are very happy with this response because 1. I didn't really expect them to respond and 2. This signifies that it is probably someone with the same name that had something happen.

Meanwhile, my inlaws had also met with a lawyer that said Visa Revocation usually is one of three things;

1. Mistaken Identity/Name

2. Someone sent in an anonymous tip about you

3. A lie on the application

THey also recommended she go to the embassy and ask the security guard to be let in without an appointment to try to figure out what happened.

With this new information, not sure if she will just go to the embassy like this or apply for a new visa.

Anyway, I am actually really happy with the Bogota embassy for responding to me. I feel like they actually care about me as a US citizen. I also had a good experience applying for the spousal visa with them as well.

[Boiler 43,494]

Never heard of anybody being able to enter a Consulate on spec.