visa for widow mother

[science7776]

Hi all,

I have a similar dausituation. My father passed away last year and I was in India just few weeks before his death. After few months my mother applied for US visa but got denied.

the interview was like this:

VO: why are you going to US?
Mother: to attend my daughter's graduation ceremony (I graduated in Dec 2011)
VO: why is your husband not with you?
Mother:He passed away few months ago.
VO: what does you son-in-law do?
MOther: post-doc in University.
VO: who lives with you?
Mother: I live by myself.

Then he gave her passport and 214 back.
So there was no point where VO asked about financial situation or family ties. I know she could have elaborated the last answer by saying that I have another daughter, grand kids, friends etc. It was my fault to tell her to be very specific and not saying anything extra.
He just found her case very weak becoz of losing husband.

We are now thinking of reapplying. Here is our whole situation:
My husband and I post-docs on F-1 OPT period. we have a daughter.
My parental house is in a small town and some bank deposits ( altogether worth ~$100,000). She is getting dad's pension ( less than Rs. 20,000/ mo). That's all.
At present she is living with my sister.

I know there is no major change in the circumstances since her last interview except she is living with my sister. Do you think we should mention it this time?
ON the other hand, I feel the VO might view it as if she is now dependent on her kids and looking for an opportunity to go to US. I don't know.
Should she sponsor herself or should I do that?

We really need to be togther since my dad's passing, it's been terrible since then. I can't go back either as my F-1 visa has expired and chances of its renewal are also very thin.

I would really appreciate if any of you can provide some thoughts/ advice on this. any other alternative?

Thanks much

[aaydrian]

Thoughts = I believe most applicants are denied/approved based on what is written on their application form. This means that the VO pretty knows what his answer is for each application but uses the interview to cement his previous conclusions; therefore no amount of paper (employment letter, invitation, congressman's letter or bank statements) will make a difference hence not even requesting such 'evidence'. Anyway your mother, if she feels she's ready, should reapply. The only thing that would work in her favour is marriage AND having children under 18. Good luck.