Half your age plus 7 years

[dennislevy]

Andy

There are jusssst a couple of years age diference between you and your lady...but I know that you got tgether with her for a lot of reasons moree then that she is ocnsiderably younger and she s beautiful...

Amigo, you and I know each other well enough to say...if we were  much younger and witth beautiful women but they were dumber then a bag of hammers......

our reaction would be the same....

NEXT....!!!!

jejejeje

Hope you re well.....have a great day....

Dennis

[Micky]

One,  I think that the half plus 7 is some type of guide,  not a rule,  who and where it came from,  who knows or cares.
I am certainly more perplexed by the lack of clear perspective by men that are "in the hunt"  than I am by soley the age factor.  I do believe that many guys,  at least those who come to Colombia,  get a little sideways in their quest after they really see the quality and quantity of the women.  Here I am speaking of the women in purely the phsysical aspect.  Calipro said,  paraphrased,  "things that normally bother you,  don't,  because she is so damn hot".  I do believe that since he is just a dater,  banger,  he was making that statement only in refference to "short term"  deals.  What he said though,  in a wider context,  seems to happen to many of the true "wife hunters".  I do understand the dynamics,  the visual beauty is overwhealming and it moves the lasting,  more meaningful qualities to the back of the mental bus.  That "thing" that the "super hot" one did that you let slide will become a spike driven through your brain,  that is only a matter of time before that dynamic changes,  it will come to pass.  Yet,  guys let this happen all too often.
It maybe sounds stupid,  and maybe it is,  but sit down and make a list of the absolute postive qualities that you are looking for,  and a list of the negitive qualities that you can't abide by.  Then do not wavier from those things.  Perfect does not exist,  I am talking reasonable expections.  If a women is super compassionate and that is high on your list,  but has a low level of sense of humor,  but that is not on your negitive list,  your good.  Bottom line is that the MOST important thing is being REAL and HONEST about YOU,  who you really are and want you really want.
While I am pontificating.  We,  as men,  complain about the "double standard".  I read many times that the "trouble"  with many older women is that they have all of this "baggage"  (negitive).  While we men,  the older we are,  we have a better view because of "life experience".  I do not buy into that.  It is not gender that dictates whether a person builds in a negitive or poitive way in their life over time.  That's all (for now).
Micky

[Researcher]

    Good point Micky and so true.That is why we wife hunters(former that is) warn of the kid in a candy store syndrome.It is common but many guys get caught up in it.

     Researcher

[sticky2]

I like it when this comes up every so often, it reminds me why I love South America!  My goal is to retire early (mid forties) move to South America (Peru or Colombia), find and get married to a girl "half my age + 7", and my fantasy is that she actually CAN'T get a visa to the USA for one reason or another.  I even sometimes try to think of ways to covertly screw up the process.


Most of the girls down there don't want to move here anyway, but these are the kind of goofy things that go through my mind.


Speaking of covertly screwing up the visa process, you guys have any tips on how that could be done and never traced back to the husband?


Feel free to rip on me for thinking that way, but we all know that if you marry a hottie and bring her back to live in the USA, you are taking a big risk.



Sticky

[whitey]

Feel free to rip on me for thinking that way, but we all know that if you marry a hottie and bring her back to live in the USA, you are taking a big risk.

That certainly seems to be the conventional wisdom.

I don't see it as a big risk, but my wife isn't even here yet, so I'll have to check back in 5 years or so. 

I don't think I've married out of my league, or chosen a scammer, so I'm not the least bit worried that she is going to run off for someone "better". 

[InnocentVixen]

Speaking of covertly screwing up the visa process, you guys have any tips on how that could be done and never traced back to the husband?

Sticky, as you have mentioned already, there are many ladies that are not interested in leaving their country, so why not pick one of those and never worry about the process to start with? sounds pretty simple to me.


I don't think it is the right attitude but to each their own, I do understand you a little, whenever the rare chance comes up to get to know someone that is interested in moving here I am very very careful with my questions because I am afraid once here the guy could be the type that would get a bit too "mexicanized" and where would that leave me? right where I went all the trouble to avoid...


How hot your partner is shouldn't play a part on your worries unless you doubt her feelings for you, also keep in mind that what you consider hot might be considered average in her culture, hence you will be going paranoid over a girl who might even have low self esteem and already thinks it's a miracle she managed to find someone like you (you might think you don't look so great, but for all you know you are Brad Pitt to the girl)

[sticky2]

I don't think I've married out of my league, or chosen a scammer, so I'm not the least bit worried that she is going to run off for someone "better". 

Haha, that's good for you my friend.....


I, however, definitely plan on trying to find a girl that would be considered at least a little "out of my league"   

Sticky, as you have mentioned already, there are many ladies that are not interested in leaving their country, so why not pick one of those and never worry about the process to start with? sounds pretty simple to me.

Good point.... haha, didn't think of that

How hot your partner is shouldn't play a part on your worries unless you doubt her feelings for you, also keep in mind that what you consider hot might be considered average in her culture,

That's as long as you remain in "her culture".  You have good points, but I still think if I marry a young hottie and bring her back to the USA, I'm asking for trouble.  If I marry a young hottie, and stay in country, where she can be considered "just average", it gives me a fighting chance 

Sticky

[fathertime]

That certainly seems to be the conventional wisdom.

 

I don't think I've married out of my league, or chosen a scammer, so I'm not the least bit worried that she is going to run off for someone "better".

I disagree with Whitey on this one.  His woman is definitely out  of his league.    He is just being modest.


Fathertime!

[fathertime]

How hot your partner is shouldn't play a part on your worries unless you doubt her feelings for you, also keep in mind that what you consider hot might be considered average in her culture, hence you will be going paranoid over a girl who might even have low self esteem and already thinks it's a miracle she managed to find someone like you (you might think you don't look so great, but for all you know you are Brad Pitt to the girl)

Agree 4 square with IV. 


Sticky, try not to worry about your future wife running out on you to some other guy.  That type of worry and the behaviours you are likely to display because of it, will not be helpful to maintaining a good marriage.   Hey if you want to and have the ability to live in Colombia that is a good option for you.  If in the meanwhile you want to find a wife, I think you have to make a reasonable choice, given that you are pretty young, you should have some great looking ladies interested.  If you think you are unable to ascertain whether a woman is interested or faking it, then perhaps a little more time with the ladies is in order until you feel confident you can tell the difference.
 
Good luck,


Fathertime! 

[AndyLee]

Speaking of covertly screwing up the visa process, you guys have any tips on how that could be done and never traced back to the husband?

Sticky

Something that seems almost unfathomable to me is that is in fact, at least in Colombia, it is indeed very easy to screw up the immigration process. Just marry her in Colombia first.


IF a US Citizen marries a Colombiana in Colombia first and plans to live here, your wife will not be able to get a tourist visa to visit United States, ever.  Instead she will have to apply for a fiancee visa.
IF you apply for the fiancee visa she has to go to the US within 6 months. IF you do not marry her on the Fiancee Visa in the US then you lose it.
IF you DO marry her in the US on the Fiancee Visa she has to live in the US for 3 years. If she does not live in the US for 3 years and leaves the US for more than 30 days at a time she will never be able to re-enter the US. PLUS, during those 3 years she has to live in the US she will not be able to visit other countries, only Colombia.
So, yes, it is very easy to screw up the immigration process, just marry her in Colombia.
By the way, I understand your reasoning but I agree with IV. Best just pick a woman who doesn't want to immigrate. Probably 90% of the women in Latin American are happy where they are if they could just find a good husband.

[fathertime]

Something that seems almost unfathomable to me is that is in fact, at least in Colombia, it is indeed very easy to screw up the immigration process. Just marry her in Colombia first.


IF a US Citizen marries a Colombiana in Colombia first and plans to live here, your wife will not be able to get a tourist visa to visit United States, ever.  Instead she will have to apply for a fiancee visa.
IF you apply for the fiancee visa she has to go to the US within 6 months. IF you do not marry her on the Fiancee Visa in the US then you lose it.
IF you DO marry her in the US on the Fiancee Visa she has to live in the US for 3 years. If she does not live in the US for 3 years and leaves the US for more than 30 days at a time she will never be able to re-enter the US. PLUS, during those 3 years she has to live in the US she will not be able to visit other countries, only Colombia.
So, yes, it is very easy to screw up the immigration process, just marry her in Colombia.
By the way, I understand your reasoning but I agree with IV. Best just pick a woman who doesn't want to immigrate. Probably 90% of the women in Latin American are happy where they are if they could just find a good husband.

That is interesting Andylee...If I'm understanding you correctly, you are saying that after you marry a woman in COlombia, and then bring her to the USA, you have to remarry her in the USA on a fiance visa within 30 days?  Maybe that came out wrong, because it doesn't appear correct, but I'm no expert on visas.
Is that what you were saying?
Fathertime! 

[AndyLee]

That is interesting Andylee...If I'm understanding you correctly, you are saying that after you marry a woman in COlombia, and then bring her to the USA, you have to remarry her in the USA on a fiance visa within 30 days?  Maybe that came out wrong, because it doesn't appear correct, but I'm no expert on visas.
Is that what you were saying?
Fathertime!

The Fiancee visa is good for 90 days and either use it or lose it. But, after the marriage, for the next 3 years, she can only leave the US in 30 day increments and only to Colombia. I'm no expert in visas either, believe me. In fact, the more I learn the less I know.
The only solution for me and my fiancee seems to be for her to get a tourist visa BEFORE she and I marry in Colombia. That Tourist Visa is good for 10 years and allows her to stay in USA for 6 months at a time. As I understand it she will PROBABLY be granted a tourist visa because she is a professional, employed by the government for 16 years and owns her home and has dependent children living with her and has two bank accounts and a credit card. Otherwise the turn down rate for tourist visas in Colombia is about 98%.
If no problems occur the visa can be renewed. If the Tourist Visa is issued in her maiden name and she keeps her maiden name after the marriage then probably it would be renewed in 10 years in her maiden name without a hitch. BUT, this is Colombia and there are always hitches.
Like I said, it is almost unfathomable. I suppose if there weren't already 2 million illegal Colombians in the USA then it would probably be a little easier to get a tourist visa.

[whitey]

I disagree with Whitey on this one.  His woman is definitely out  of his league.    He is just being modest.

Fathertime!

Hahaha ... zing!  And thanks (I think?)

She is definitely out of my league here in Canada, but then again, I am out of her league in Colombia, so it evens out.

It's funny, Nazly has been going to a lot of appointments lately in preparation for coming here ... medical doctors, dentists, eye doctors ... and they all ask her age as part of the examination.  When she tells them she is 36, they are always very surprised and think that she is around 25.

I'm starting to wonder what people are going to think when we are walking around together here, holding hands.  Ah well, I'm happy, so what do I care ...

[Ray]

Something that seems almost unfathomable to me is that is in fact, at least in Colombia, it is indeed very easy to screw up the immigration process. Just marry her in Colombia first.


IF a US Citizen marries a Colombiana in Colombia first and plans to live here, your wife will not be able to get a tourist visa to visit United States, ever. Instead she will have to apply for a fiancee visa.
IF you apply for the fiancee visa she has to go to the US within 6 months. IF you do not marry her on the Fiancee Visa in the US then you lose it.
IF you DO marry her in the US on the Fiancee Visa she has to live in the US for 3 years. If she does not live in the US for 3 years and leaves the US for more than 30 days at a time she will never be able to re-enter the US. PLUS, during those 3 years she has to live in the US she will not be able to visit other countries, only Colombia.
So, yes, it is very easy to screw up the immigration process, just marry her in Colombia.
By the way, I understand your reasoning but I agree with IV. Best just pick a woman who doesn't want to immigrate. Probably 90% of the women in Latin American are happy where they are if they could just find a good husband.

　

The Fiancee visa is good for 90 days and either use it or lose it. But, after the marriage, for the next 3 years, she can only leave the US in 30 day increments and only to Colombia. I'm no expert in visas either, believe me. In fact, the more I learn the less I know.
The only solution for me and my fiancee seems to be for her to get a tourist visa BEFORE she and I marry in Colombia. That Tourist Visa is good for 10 years and allows her to stay in USA for 6 months at a time. As I understand it she will PROBABLY be granted a tourist visa because she is a professional, employed by the government for 16 years and owns her home and has dependent children living with her and has two bank accounts and a credit card. Otherwise the turn down rate for tourist visas in Colombia is about 98%.
If no problems occur the visa can be renewed. If the Tourist Visa is issued in her maiden name and she keeps her maiden name after the marriage then probably it would be renewed in 10 years in her maiden name without a hitch. BUT, this is Colombia and there are always hitches.
Like I said, it is almost unfathomable. I suppose if there weren't already 2 million illegal Colombians in the USA then it would probably be a little easier to get a tourist visa.

　
There are many, many errors here.
　
First, a married woman can not apply for a fiancée visa. She would only be eligible for spousal immigrant visa or K-3 visa if she wished to stay in the US as a resident.
　
And just because you marry her overseas, that does not mean that she is ineligible for a tourist visa. If you have residence established overseas with your wife, she can apply for a tourist visa to visit the US with you. She may or may not be denied depending on individual circumstances.
　
If a woman marries in the US on a fiancée visa, she does not have to stay in the US for 3 years unless she wishes to apply for naturalization, which requires a mostly continuous residency for 3 years.
　
While here on a green card, she can leave the US for up to 6 months at a time with no penalty. If she is out of the US for over a year without prior approval, she will automatically lose her permanent resident status, but she can reapply for permanent resident status at a US Consulate overseas, or reapply for another spousal visa at any time.
　
Also, she can visit just about any country in the world while here on a green card, not just the country of her citizenship.
　
Having a tourist (visitor) visa does not guarantee entry to the US. It only gets you on the plane. You still have to clear immigration at your port of entry. Again, just because you have a 10-year visa does not guarantee you entry.
　
Also, the visitor visa does not necessarily allow you to stay in the US for 6 months. The length of your allowed stay will be determined by the ICE officer at your port of entry, for a maximum of 6 months with the possibility of getting an extension.
　
It is true that it is easier to obtain a visitor visa in countries that have a history of a low rate of visa overstays by it’s citizens.
　
Ray

[AndyLee]

Things I say on this board are from personal experience, living in Colombia. I did say  Fiancee Visa when I meant spousal visa, but the point of my story is not affected materially by that oversight.


My frustration has to do with not being able to bring my soon to be Colombian wife to the US for a 2 week vacation every year or so to see my family and see the sights. Neither one of us wants to live in the US, just visit. We do not want to go to through the frustrating and expensive undertaking of getting a spousal visa just so she can fly to the US to meet my family.


In Colombia it is impossible for a Colombian woman married to an American living in Colombia to get a Tourist Visa. There is a very long thread about this at the ColombianVanilla forum. As reported by 3 different men who tried it the turn down is automatic and there is no appeal.


My friend, an Architect in New Jersey, married a Colombian woman and brought her to live in the US. For three years she was only able to leave the US to visit Colombia. Her application to travel to Australia for her son's wedding was turned down.


I admit my knowledge of things visa is limited and I pointed that out in my previous post. There are no absolutes and there are no mistakes as it pertains to the intent of my message.


 

[Zon]

Researcher - "So these ladies pay for sex with these young men? Not all these cougars pay the young men for sex. I don't think Demi Moore paid Ashton Kutcher to be with her.These are the situations I am referring to."

HAHAHA - it is fascinating how your remarks are echoing the US womens point of view!   If I put together an event with the same suggestions as the Cougar Cruise, you would throw every word at me - sex tourist, flesh trade, human trafficking.   If I responded by saying look at the young wives of male movie stars, you would call me unrealistic and make personal claims of my immaturity.  JUST KEEPING IT REAL.

Yeah, I just got back to the USA after 80 days, and the US culture throws a cold glass of water on my Colombian persona.  The people are less friendly, curious, or interested to meet and talk ... everybody is consumed by their own small world.  The women - WOW - the difference is like black and white.  But, it is an organized, nice and predictable place:)

During this trip, I met and dated a 32 year old, and a 19 year old.   I did not have any correspondence with these women prior, and my meetings were by chance.   I enjoyed the company of both women very much.   The older woman WANTED more, emotionally and in the future.   The older woman was MUCH more caring and concerned with every little aspect of my life and time - not in  a jealous way, but in a caring way.   The younger woman was nice and ... dare I say "innocent"?   She was/is everything that youth is all about.  NEW CAR SMELL.  Sex was very good with the 32 year old.  I will never be able to forget sex with the 19 year old.  (For what that aspect of the relationship is all about ... it is hard to beat a young woman that has never had children - in my opinion).  BUT, and this is important, I did feel limitations with the younger woman.   We were able enjoy each other's company very much.  I would be happy to spend much more time with her.  I told her that she was too young to be my novia, but just right for us to be lovers.  It worked just fine.  TRY THAT IN THE USA.

There are pluses and minuses for me in dating women in their early 20's versus their late 20's early 30s.    Most of these trade offs are common sense.  I will just add that I become friends with Colombians and try to see through their eyes.  MANY young women 19 - 22, date Colombian men that are 37 - 45.  It really is a different culture, and it is difficult to understand it correctly, if you only look through our social lens.

In each of these cases, there is no real future.  I will regreso to Colombia in November for another 90 days.  I will stay in the Cafeteria region this time.  NICE PLACE. 

For me, since I am willing and able to play an AWAY GAME (live and work in Colombia), I do not feel any particular hurry.  In fact the more time I spend there, the more I see that you can design WHATEVER you want in terms of marriage and conocitos y amantes (wives, friends, and lovers).  If you are not happy with the results, there is nothing wrong with future assessment and change. Not so sure there is anything wrong with that.

======

Thanks Ray for clearing things up

[JimD]

Agree with much of the post above including about 19 year olds but I have a request: please stop butchering Spanish. Thanks.

[fathertime]

Researcher - "So these ladies pay for sex with these young men? Not all these cougars pay the young men for sex. I don't think Demi Moore paid Ashton Kutcher to be with her.These are the situations I am referring to."

HAHAHA - it is fascinating how your remarks are echoing the US womens point of view!   If I put together an event with the same suggestions as the Cougar Cruise, you would throw every word at me - sex tourist, flesh trade, human trafficking.   If I responded by saying look at the young wives of male movie stars, you would call me unrealistic and make personal claims of my immaturity.  JUST KEEPING IT REAL.

Yeah, I just got back to the USA after 80 days, and the US culture throws a cold glass of water on my Colombian persona.  The people are less friendly, curious, or interested to meet and talk ... everybody is consumed by their own small world.  The women - WOW - the difference is like black and white.  But, it is an organized, nice and predictable place:)

During this trip, I met and dated a 32 year old, and a 19 year old.   I did not have any correspondence with these women prior, and my meetings were by chance.   I enjoyed the company of both women very much.   The older woman WANTED more, emotionally and in the future.   The older woman was MUCH more caring and concerned with every little aspect of my life and time - not in  a jealous way, but in a caring way.   The younger woman was nice and ... dare I say "innocent"?   She was/is everything that youth is all about.  NEW CAR SMELL.  Sex was very good with the 32 year old.  I will never be able to forget sex with the 19 year old.  (For what that aspect of the relationship is all about ... it is hard to beat a young woman that has never had children - in my opinion).  BUT, and this is important, I did feel limitations with the younger woman.   We were able enjoy each other's company very much.  I would be happy to spend much more time with her.  I told her that she was too young to be my novia, but just right for us to be lovers.  It worked just fine.  TRY THAT IN THE USA.

There are pluses and minuses for me in dating women in their early 20's versus their late 20's early 30s.    Most of these trade offs are common sense.  I will just add that I become friends with Colombians and try to see through their eyes.  MANY young women 19 - 22, date Colombian men that are 37 - 45.  It really is a different culture, and it is difficult to understand it correctly, if you only look through our social lens.

In each of these cases, there is no real future.  I will regreso to Colombia in November for another 90 days.  I will stay in the Cafeteria region this time.  NICE PLACE. 

For me, since I am willing and able to play an AWAY GAME (live and work in Colombia), I do not feel any particular hurry.  In fact the more time I spend there, the more I see that you can design WHATEVER you want in terms of marriage and conocitos y amantes (wives, friends, and lovers).  If you are not happy with the results, there is nothing wrong with future assessment and change. Not so sure there is anything wrong with that.

======

Thanks Ray for clearing things up

Well Zon, I doubt Researcher would crucify you, if you decided to join one of those cruises and become a lapdog cub for one of those aging and wrinkled cougars! Jajja  besides you are comparing apples to oranges, I see the circumstances as being different so it is quite possible to criticize one without criticizing the other. 


Well for once your ‘mini report’ didn’t include too much bragging or outrageous conclusions.    So what was wrong with the 32 year old?  I can see why you thought the 19 year old would not work for you, but what was the turn off with the other lady? 


Since you are commitment free and able to stay in Colombia for long periods, one would think in the long run that should be an advantage, but I can also see how it is a double-edged sword in terms of actually settling in with a wife. 




Fathertime! 

[Zon]

JIM D - please stop butchering Spanish. Thanks.   Sorry, brother ... gonna butcher it until I get it right.  I hear some people have problems TRYING to talk. I do not.  But, I know I am a work in progress. 2 weeks ago, I was with some Colombian guys partying ... at about 3:30, when we were all [snip]faced, one said - please stop speaking Spanish - it is killing me!  HAHAH   no importa un culo - I WILL speak good Spanish within the next year... or two:)  Probably never spell worth a crap.

FT - "I see the circumstances as being different so it is quite possible to criticize one without criticizing the other." INTERESTING - I see both having MORE similarities than differences.  (I was participating in a investment and marketing group for a private cruise ship that was sexy - similar to the Cougar Concept, but reversed genders.  I could not support it, because of the political winds, not the business or ethical fundamentals.  Times are right for a witch hunt, and I do not want to be involved)

"for once your ‘mini report’ didn’t include too much bragging or outrageous conclusions. "   Ohhh, there were plenty of those too   But, less than there used to be.  I have grown tired of the Fast Lane.

"So what was wrong with the 32 year old?  I can see why you thought the 19 year old would not work for you, but what was the turn off with the other lady? "   She was very nice and treated me very well, but she was not ... hmmm   Is it only me, or do others not consider "normal women" to be wife material instantly?    I would imagine that when (and if) I meet a woman and want her to be my wife, there must be a little "special sauce" - not just nice, pretty, accommodating, cheerful.   I would like to believe that there would be somekind of BUZZZZZ.    I have had exceptional chemistry with several ladies of the last couple years. With these two women, the connection was good, but nothing to make me STOP.

Double edge sword?   I think that there are many options for sure.  In these areas in particular, a guy like me (my age, looks, manner, experience, and income, etc..) is sort of in the Prime Of Life - much more than in Cali or Medellin.    I think I owe it to myself to let things find the correct balance.   Bottom Line - if you are able to take actions and make big life changes, it is possible to redesign a life from the ground up.

[AndyLee]

2 weeks ago, I was with some Colombian guys partying ... at about 3:30, when we were all [snip]faced, one said - please stop speaking Spanish - it is killing me!  HAHAH   no importa un culo - I WILL speak good Spanish within the next year... or two:)  Probably never spell worth a crap.

ROFLMAO! Now THAT'S funny   I'm sometimes awed by the stricken looks on my Colombian friend's faces when I murder their language.........actually, I think I speak my Spanish sounds MUCH better at 3 am when I'm [snip] faced

[dennislevy]

Zibn....read your past and lauhged.....

cut the crap! jejejejeje

boys like jus wanna have fun!

When I ve gotten my heart broken in Colombiqa...when I wanted to make  a commnmittment.....and it ddint work......after that I say to myself...

hell with that......Im going back to having fun. 

 

[Traveler]

Zon, you will not learn Spanish unless you try to speak it.  And don't worry that it's not perfect.  But you seem to know that already  .  I think Jim was referring not to you trying to speak Spanish, but inserting misspelled Spanish words into your posts.

[JimD]

Ok Z but if you´re going to stay in the cafetería region try not to eat too much.

[Traveler]

I am with Jim on this  .  Are you planning to visit the restaurant region of Colombia as well?  I've heard good things about it.
 
Seriously though, with enough practice and exposure to the language, you will become much better at it.  Don't worry about making mistakes, but do try to avoid them though.

[Ray]

In Colombia it is impossible for a Colombian woman married to an American living in Colombia to get a Tourist Visa. There is a very long thread about this at the ColombianVanilla forum. As reported by 3 different men who tried it the turn down is automatic and there is no appeal.


My friend, an Architect in New Jersey, married a Colombian woman and brought her to live in the US. For three years she was only able to leave the US to visit Colombia. Her application to travel to Australia for her son's wedding was turned down.

 
It may be very difficult for a married Colombiana to obtain a visitor visa under the circumstances that you mentioned, but it isn't "impossible". Three cases doesn't make an absolute.
 
With the qualifications you said she has, I think she would have a decent shot at a visitor visa after marriage. When that time comes, I would have lots of evidence to submit with her application, along with a letter of explanation, and give it a try.
 
As to not being able to visit Australia, it sounds like her beef is with the Australian Consulate, not the US. Which other countries, if any, did she attempt to visit unsucsessfully, and who specifically turned her down. This just doesn't sound right to me.
 
Ray