Host mom's Visa application was denied to come to our wedding, thanks U.S. Consulate.

Sorry! I think because it is Mexico they are trying to be more strict due to stupid politics! Maybe you could let her watch it via Skype? By the same but at least she could see it or there are companies that will stream your wedding

Oh they absolutely are. They also are making sure she plans to go back- because the US is overly paranoid. We thought about skyping it but it's not the same as having her here you know? It sucks.

When my ex-boyfriend's sister got married her husband's actual real parents weren't allowed to come to the U.S. for the wedding. Even though they owned a house and land and stuff that showed they had roots and ties to their own country and would have no reason not to go back. But I guess U.S officials just think that people will try to stay here no matter what.

Oh that's so sad. Sorry to hear L+A. DO you think you will appeal? Did you guys have to provide letter from the 4 language schools? Does she own her home in mexico? Young children or grand children? Was it just her invited or a husband too? Maybe showing his work info will help?

Oh and I don't think "if you think the situation has changed" refers to changing the wedding. It probably means if your host mom's situation changes regarding stronger employment or anything that would show she will go back.

Wow, JB that's awful to hear! I know that the consulates referral to "the situation has changed" is referring to her situation in Mexico, not the wedding. But what else can really change?

@Kemmie, thank you. We will definitely appeal. I think we're going to get letters from the language schools since clearly paystubs weren't enough... She has no husband, her grandson is 9. Two daughters are mid-20s.

@ashley, you think so? That's not a bad idea!

Definitely call your Congressman. My family had to do that when my sister and her (Mexican) husband wanted to visit them in the US, and the visa application ended up going through. As with you, the whole thing was BS--sister's husband owns a home and has a medical practice in Mexico, and there was no way he was just going to leave all that to live illegally in the US.

Wow. Good advice on contacting your congressman I think. It's definitely worth a try! Somehow... I don't think denying visitor visas to people who have perfectly good reasons to visit the country is going to "secure our borders" and make border security hawks happy, but I guess it's easier than actually dealing with the issue. Makes you wanna yell, "get over yourself US gov't! not EVERYONE wants to hop the border and live here!"

You aren't able to appeal the decision, unfortunately. You can only reapply and hope for a different outcome. Contacting your Congressman or Senator may help. I work for a Senator and work these types of cases a lot. It's not guaranteed that the Congressman/Senator's involvement will change the outcome, but it's worth a try. Sadly, this outcome happens a lot. A lot of people have ruined it for the honest ones who just want to come to the US to visit, and then go back home. We try to explain it like this: In the US, we are innocent until proven guilty. But when it comes to applying for a visa, you are viewed as intending to immigrate to the US until proven otherwise. A frustrating system, I know. Good luck though!

I'll definitely get in contact with my Congressman, that's a great idea, thank you to all the ladies who have said to try that!

@FutureMrsP, I know we can't appeal, we just have to reapply if "you think circumstances may have changed" which I find BS because there's not going to be a change, she's been employed with these schools for 10 years. I think at this point we're going to reapply and include even more information like letters from her employers, as well as my transcript from my classes in Mexico and see if I can't find my purchase receipts or notarize copies of the stamps in my passport to show the times I've visited post-study abroad.

I just find it completely asinine I even have to provide all this crap on top of everything else we've done and STILL it's unlikely the new application will get approved. Thanks for letting me vent, everyone.

Ya... it sucks that you provide so many documents and "evidence" that she will return, but they still deny the application. Meanwhile there is a flood at the border. *Sigh*. Very frustrating. I hope the additional documents and perhaps a Congressional letter to the Embassy will help.

For sure, thank you MrsP. You're right, there have been a lot of people who have ruined it for everyone else just trying to come up with full intentions of returning.

Erin, 5 years and she JUST got residency?! That's insane! Wow.

5 years for residency holy crap! That's a very long time geez. L+A (the plus sign always disappears when I write your name dunno why) Let us know if contacting your congressman helps!

The immigration process takes forever. They say they have streamlined things, but they have not. My husband is originally from Ecuador. He's been here for about 25 years. Tried to get his elderly Mom to visit. 11 years and counting and I have still not met her. In order fro Ecuador to issue her paperwork, you have to call them. In order to talk to a human being, you have to call another # first and pay 17.00. You get a code and a phone #. You call the number, enter the code and voila, you get a human. You better have every potential question thought of because if you need to call back, that's another 17.00. Then she has to prove that she owns land (she does) and has a job and family to come back to. She is a 78 year old woman with 10 kids who lives on a farm. What job do they want her to have? The process on our end is bad enough coupled with their rules, sheesh. It's amazing there are international flights at all.

Thanks Miss to Mrs, I appreciate it! Kemmie, I absolutely will. I know you and I'm sure other ladies are going to be doing similar or the same things so hopefully this makes the process easier for others!

I am so sorry! I think that the Skype idea is good. I wish that there was something that could be done for you.

Thank you Beth! I appreciate it.

That stinks. And yet there are so many people here illegally and all you'd like is for a visit. What a shame!

Yeah, thank you Dani!