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Being denied a U.S. visa can be traumatic

Jan 11, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

I suppose most travelers have had to get a ‘difficult’ visa at some point. Today, I watched a 70-year-old man cry after being denied a U.S. Visitor’s Visa. Jose, not his real name and his wife traveled from Cuba to Guyana to get a visa. They spent months planning the trip. They spent over a year’s salary to pay for visa, airline tickets, hotel accommodations and taxi fares. They flew four hours to get to Guyana.

They stood for hours in the line at the embassy to get their interview. And in less than five minutes, less than 10 questions, they were denied a visa. And their world came tumbling down. Their hopes and dreams were crushed. They may never see America. The land of the free and the home of the brave. They will never get to live the American’s dream. They will never get to see these words inscribed on a plaque on the Statue of Liberty pedestal: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses …” These sacred words are used to promote unfettered and unrestricted immigration. Something they will never experience. They will never get to visit the Statue of Liberty, Big Apple, Time Square or Disney Land. They will never get to eat at a MacDonald’s Restaurant. They will never get to experience the American’s way of life. They will never get to “feel” or become American.

In less than 10 minutes, their lives were changed by one word: Denied. The American’s Embassy should provide counseling for people who are denied a visa. It’s not something that people will get over quickly. Watching a senior citizen crying because of being denied a visa was heart-wrenching and heart-breaking. You would think his child died. A part of him died.

After the interview, I was worried Jose may hurt himself. He asked for alcohol and went on the balcony. He was devastated. He wasn’t prepared for the denial. After traveling so far, spending so much money, time and to be denied would break any man. Sometimes, people like me take for granted our American citizenship because we never have to worry about being denied a visa to America or experience the pain of being denied.

Yours truly,

Anthony Pantlitz

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