Husband's parents denied Vistor Visa, please help

[jbg19802]

Hi,

I am a natural born U.S. Citizen. My husband and I got married last year in August (2014) so he is now a green card holder. We are having a wedding this August (2015) because our wedding last year was very small. His parents applied for a visitor visa to come for the wedding from Rwanda and were denied. We sent a letter of invitation, a letter to the consulate, sponsor documents from my parents (who make around $90,000 per year), and already purchased round-trip plane tickets. We also sent my passport, my husband's passport, and my parents tax information and birth certificates. The reason they were denied (we believe) is because all three of their children live in the United States and because they recently moved back to Rwanda from Burkina Faso, so they don't yet own property. However, his father has a job at a university there.

The conversation went like this:
Consulate: Why do you want to go to the U.S.?
Parents: Our son's wedding.

Consulate: How long are you going to spend there?
Parents: 25 days

Consulate: Have you ever traveled abroad?
Parents:Yes, to Switzerland, France, Burundi, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast.

Consulate: What is your job?
Parents:Teacher and seamstress

Consulate: Do you have other kids?
Parents:3 kids, they all live in the U.S.

Consulate: You are not eligible for a visa because of your current situation.
Parents: What does that mean?

Consulate: It means that I can't give you a visa and you can come back when your situation gets better.

The entire thing only lasted a few minutes, and the woman didn't even look at the documentation we had sent. She seemed very annoyed and they weren't given a chance to explain their case or anything.

They plan to reapply but we don't know how to prove that they will return back to Rwanda, even though they have no intention to stay in the U.S. I have contacted my representatives in Missouri and they said they would contact the consulate on the day of their next interview and ask that his parents have 2-3 minutes to present their case. However, they basically said that since all of their children live here and they don't own property in Rwanda, there is no way they will be approved. We are also trying to contact the Ambassador of Rwanda in the U.S. Does anyone have any other advice???? Please help. This is the first of their children to get married and we really want them to be here for it, and my husband hasn't seen his parents in 8 years. Please we really need help.

[inadmissible]

The next time he is asked about his occupation, his answer should be "tenured professor of applied statistics" or whatever, and not "teacher".

Try to see things from the consular officers point of view, he would lose his job for not upholding section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

[jbg19802]

The next time he is asked about his occupation, his answer should be "tenured professor of applied statistics" or whatever, and not "teacher".

Try to see things from the consular officers point of view, he would lose his job for not upholding section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Thanks! That is a good idea. But do you have any ideas on how to show "strong country ties" other than property and children?

[inadmissible]

I have heard that it helps to describe social roles that they would be compelled to return to, like a political party post, or leading their local Rotary chapter.

What it comes down to is this: We all want a good life. Would they have a better life in Rwanda or in the United States? If they will lead a better life in Rwanda, they need to find a way to substantiate that.

I am ignorant of what life is like in Rwanda specifically, but pardon me while I generalize third world nations. There exists a large opportunity gap in these nations. It is often described in American terms as a wealth gap, or a divide between the rich and the poor. It is an opportunity gap first and foremost; opportunities lead to wealth not the other way 'round.

Here in America, everybody is a nobody. Nobody is special. There is a very large middle-class. This is very difficult for some aliens to handle, when they have lived all their lives being somebody, or enjoying preferential access to opportunities. Depending on which side of the opportunity gap they came from, living long-term in America can be heaven or misery.

When they say state their occupation as "teacher and seamstress", the consular officer may have drawn certain conclusions. Contrast that with the Rwandan who says, "I was appointed dean of the faculty of engineering, and she organizes a knitting club with the wives of other prominent Patriotic Front members".

If all else fails, they can just wait 3 years for your husband to naturalize, and then apply for immigrant visas. They may not actually want green cards themselves, but they won't face the barrier of having to prove non-immigrant intent. Perhaps either of your husbands siblings will naturalize even sooner.

[GC0102]

Sometimes self sponsoring works compared to seeking sponsorship from US. But you have to be careful, if their income is $10,000 yearly - you can't expect them to say spending $5,000 on US trip. It sounds absurd. They can quote "we plan to take care of flight expenses & insurance on our own, followed by we will be staying with our sons in US, & comeback due to ___enter valid___ reasoning". Also, individual body language matters too (always have smile through-out interview, watch-out on tone while answering, look straight into VO eyes with smile rather than trying to look elsewhere and remember answer etc.)

Also, try to get interview scheduled in local language instead of English. But, idea of being sponsored by third party (your parents) compared to their own sons (immediate relative) seems uncomfortable to grant visa from Visa Officer perspective.

1. Self sponsoring or sponsoring by their own sons (immediate relative)
2. Interview in local language instead of English
3. Rather than attending marriage, tourism & meeting sons might motivate VO to grant visa (they will need to increase duration of stay in USA i.e. 2 months at-least)