The US Embassy has loosened up with the granting of B-1/B-2 visas. Unless something popped up on the background check, if she is a professional and currently employed, there should have been no problem. My neighbor, a Colombiana, got her B-1/B-2 tourist in less than a month. We did everything on line, including payment of the $140 fee and scheduling of an appointment. Her interview in Bogota lasted less than 3 minutes. They granted her a 5-year tourist visa. Here is what the US Embassy website has to say about denied visa applications. You may wish to ask your amiga if there are any other "extenuating circumstances" before you go to bat for her. Good luck.
FROM THE US EMBASSY IN COLOMBIA WEBSITE: Quote:
Why was my visa application refused?
U.S. consular officers are only allowed to issue nonimmigrant visas to those applicants who qualify under the law. A visa can be refused for a variety of reasons. For example, your visa application could be denied if you have a criminal record, if you lie during your visa interview, or if you have lived in the United States illegally. There are many other possible reasons that a visa application can be refused. Please see 9 FAM 40.6 Exhibit I for an abridged list of ineligibilities (that is, reasons your visa may be refused). A consular officer normally will inform the applicant in writing of the basis of the refusal.
Section 214(b)
The majority of nonimmigrant visa refusals are made under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Section 214(b), which applies to all B-1/B-2 applicants (as well as to applicants for most other nonimmigrant visa classifications), presumes that an applicant is an intending immigrant (generally, that he or she plans to stay permanently in the United States or plans to work illegally) and places the burden on the applicant to convince the consular officer of the contrary. If the applicant fails to convince the consular officer, the law requires the consular officer to deny the visa.
Applicants overcome the intending immigrant presumption of Section 214(b) by showing that their overall circumstances, including social, family, economic and other ties to Colombia, will compel them to leave the United States at the end of a temporary visit. "Ties" are the various aspects of life that bind the applicant to Colombia, such as his or her family relationships, employment and possessions. Because each applicant's situation is different, there is no single factor that demonstrates compelling ties to Colombia.
A visa denial under Section 214(b) is not permanent. Visa seekers may reapply for a visa at any time by following the instructions in the How to Apply for a Visa page. However, we recommend that they do so only if they believe that they will be able to show that they are eligible for the visa based on the guidance provided above. That is, we recommend against reapplying unless the applicant's family, professional or economic situation has changed sufficiently to warrant a change in the consular officer's decision.