Dear Editor,
I was extremely moved and impressed with the presentations done by staffers of the United States Embassy to students of various schools in Guyana for International Education Week (IEW).
I always believed that the United States of America is the most humane and generous country around. That is a nation built on human understanding and good will. That is a nation of laws and excellent leadership. I firmly believe in its justice and, yes, mercy.
There may be periods of trouble or with particular leadership which may temporarily create confusion about the humanity of America, and which may even damage the economy of the United States and the world, but these leaders are always replaced, and new righteous ones repair the damage and rebuild the economy again. For example, in recent times we saw President Bill Clinton and now a great benefactor to America and humanity, President Obama, whose presidency is a prophecy that had to be fulfilled in my opinion.
The President of the United States in March spoke of the importance of educational exchanges as a means to promote mutual understanding and respect, according to the press report. The report went on to say: “IEW gives us all an opportunity to answer Obama’s call to demonstrate the benefits of exchanges.”
But sometimes certain staffers could confuse the President’s aim and cause some to lose respect for the United States when they make decisions which may be based on enthusiasm. Thrice a brilliant, most decent and qualified student was given visas to do the medical prep and exam, but according to the Dean he and the others were not fully ready for the USMLE. The wonderful young man returned in time before his last visa expired. When he took his last prep exam, called the MBME, the Dean sanctioned it, and sent a letter for the USMLE exam. Monies were paid, books, vehicle and an apartment were there in the US, all paid for and being paid for, but despite getting a visa thrice, they refused it when it was needed the most. The suspicion was that he maybe worked washing dishes or pumping gas, when his family had invested nearly US$200,000. He went again, and again, and was refused because of the same suspicion.
In my opinion this smacks of an insult to the US President’s policy of international integration and respect. Everything humanly possible was offered, including leaving a bond, being accompanied by US relatives, or having an appointed security service in the US just so he could write the exam, but still they refused. I honestly believe that the officer made a serious error, but we would never disrespect him or the United States. But I did say that mankind must never lose mercy. It is a great gift of God to his creation. I just ask, if I was to write the President of the US – or he knew of this – or Mrs Clinton, what would they say? I believe they would be disappointed. Three visas and he always returned on time, and at the moment when he was ready for the examination the application was refused, and three times too. Why? Destiny? Karma? … let us take comfort in that.
I applaud President Obama for his vision and understanding of internationalism and humanity. I salute him.
Yours faithfully,
Roshan Khan
The refusal of US visas are always based on valid reasons.
FYI you are at the mercy of the officer that interview you. there is no hard and fast rule that u will get visa if u have this or that. There is never any valid reason for refusing visa.
Again, I state, the refusal to issue a visa to enter the USA is based on valid reasons.
These competent and trained immigration officers are well equipped and empowered to make a decision on who gets access to the US’s shores.
When an applicant for a US visa goes before a qualifying officer, he/she is assessed based on:
-documentation
-presentation skills
-pedigree and temperament
Bismattie you are on the money. Things have change since 9/11 and will not say no more. All things start with your country…..please go back in time and you will understand why. Do your home work and you will see.
… I beg to differ with you BR. Many people get visas to US who should not have. Take for instance the consular officer who was selling vias in Guyana a few years ago. The system is only as good/honest as those administering it. C’est la vie!
Bismattie in one of your responses to a blogger uou said the consular officer looks for the following, Documentation, Presentation Skills, and Pedigree and Temperament. What more Documentation was needed than 3 previous visasand the reason for the 4th application with all the relevant paper work (Documents) I think and common sense teaches all the relative documents presented needed no special skill especially that being the 4th time and finally this person had to have the pedigree and temperement to have succeeded thrice before. I think the record speaks for itself.
Roshan Khan if you “believed that the United States of America is the most humane and generous country around. ” why don’t you educate Jagdeo so he can emulate the US and Obama to make Guyana the next “most humane and generous country around” Never cease to amaze me!
Is this sincerity or playing to the gallery to achieve something? Does it ring through?
RK, You are a brilliant man and I commend you for weathering the storm in Guyana by providing employment for so many people and not running away.
Keep up the good work and don’t give up.
The decision to issue a visa is OFTEN based on immigration official and present state of mind.
That the best responese!!!!!You are so correct.
SOL,that is so true i sincerely think it the immigration officer’s present state of mind..I’m a US citizen and i go to Canada often sometimes I’m checked thoroughly sometimes not at all..go figure.
Why didn’t he get the student’s visa in the first place? If he had the visitor’s visa and staying that long then the immigration will question that – very simple. It is not the immigration official action that cause denial of visa but his actions.” That is a nation laws…”
There is no need to write President Obama or Mrs Clinton.
Very unfortunate.However, please note,one applies for a US visa.It is not an automatic grant.The authorities make the decision, not anyone outside of that department.
Kudos to the immigration official for refusing this individual a visa to the US. Let him go to Cuba and be a doctor.
Here is a Guyanese for you!
I wonder SWAT.. if you would have said the same thing, had it been you or a close member of your family. What if you were sent to CUBA instead of America?
Lets get real here,monies being paid,books,vehicle and apartment were already taken cared of in the US,add a muslim name to that and the result is “No Visa”.
A visa to got to the USA is a privilege not a right! Many wel meaning indiviuals were and will be refused visa and many others who have other ideas will get. Get over it RK.