Case of M.T.

M was shocked. He was a citizen and resident of a Visa Waiver Program country and had traveled to the US for many years on his Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) without any problems. Out of the blue, Customs and Border Protection cancelled his ESTA and advised that he needed a visa to travel to the United States. When he applied for a B visitor visa, he was asked some vague questions about a relationship and whether he knew of anyone who may not want him to return to the US. When he did not answer to the satisfaction of the consular officer, he was denied under Section 214(b). After we contacted the consular post on M’s behalf and suggested that jilted ill-wishers/poison-pen letter writers should not have “veto power” over entry to the United States, M submitted a new application and was issued a B visitor visa.