CONSULS AND THEIR STAFF: FAIR AND REASONABLE
by Michael J. Gurfinkel, Esq.
In my law practice, I handle virtually all areas of immigration law. But one of my favorite areas is Consular processing (dealing with the Embassy over the issuance of clients' visas, proving a client's entitlement to their visa, and overcoming an initial refusal/denial of the visa.)
In my dealings with the Embassy, I have always found that the Consuls and their Staff are extremely sharp, well-versed in the law, and are thorough.
The Consuls, and their able and intelligent Staff, have always been courteous, professional, and fair. I know that many of my cases with the Embassy are not "easy".
Most of the time, my cases involve complex legal issues and theories, or the client (although truly entitled to a visa), may have already messed up his case to such an extent, that it is truly an intellectual challenge to undo the damage, and prove the client's entitlement to the visa. To the Embassy's credit, in virtually all of these cases, the Embassy has kept an open mind, and was willing to reconsider previous decisions (or consider new facts or evidence) when my office was able to properly explain and document the case, and prove to the Embassy's satisfaction that while a client may have initially messed up the case, they were truly (and lawfully) entitled to a visa, or to a waiver.
I also respect and admire the Consuls, who are sometimes forced to make tough, heart wrenching decisions on whether to grant or deny a visa.
The bottom line is that, in dealing with the Embassy, a person should realize that the Embassy and their Staff are sharp and intelligent. They are not in the business of "denying" visas, but, instead, it is their job to evaluate and determine a person's eligibility for the visa. It is up to the person applying for the visa to prove eligibility. If a person is truly entitled to the visa, even though they may have been initially refused, and if they are able to properly document and prove entitlement, Consuls are reasonable. |
