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Danna Mora, Antonia Ortiz,Valeria PLaza,Valentina Verano

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Danna Mora, Antonia Ortiz,Valeria PLaza,Valentina Verano

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1.1 Antonia Ortiz

Many people in Colombia are looking forward to the 2026 World Cup being held in the US, unfortunately their hopes for visa approval seem to be decreasing every time. A Colombian family hoping to attend this event and go to Disney was recently rejected with no explanation after spending $700USD with the purpose of getting the visa.(Antonia Ortiz)

1.2 Danna Mora

During this year, 31% of visa applications to the United States from Colombia have been rejected, showing that more than 106,000 visas out of 342,000 applications were denied in the first half of the year. Being a higher rate than previous years. Besides, the wait time for visas has improved, reducing from 24 months to 12 months. This can be a benefit for applicants but they have less probability to obtain the visa.

1.3  Valentina Verano

Perhaps Colombia hasn't qualified for the tournament, it is uncertain that the United States will further increase its visa processing capacity. According to Reuters, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, consulates would work "double shifts" and employ artificial intelligence to expedite the process ahead of the 2026 tournament.

However, in a later comment he said: “If you haven’t applied already, you probably won’t get here”.

These conflicting messages come even as the Trump administration has announced broader cost-cutting proposals to reduce embassy and consular services, as well as a White House executive order in June banning entry to visitors from 12 countries.

These include Iran which has already qualified but whose citizens have to stay now at home.

1.4 Valentina Verano

These limitations have raised concerns in the U.S. travel industry.

Visa barriers were the "biggest impediment to visiting the United States," U.S. Travel Association president Geoff Freeman told ESPN in February.

The association subsequently released a report outlining "urgent steps needed to ensure the U.S. can deliver a golden age of travel" ahead of a "historic era" with the country hosting the World Cup, America's 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

The report's suggestions included expanding consular staff, increasing resources for traveler vetting, streamlining border controls, and extending the validity of existing visitor visas.

Washington had "a brief window of opportunity to resolve major travel issues and seize a $100 billion economic opportunity," Freeman stated.

"People want to come, but they're not. It all comes down to those visa wait times. It's related to inefficiency at customs. It's linked to a perception, in some cases, that people aren't welcome. We're very concerned," Freeman said.

That feeling of rejection is echoed on social media in Colombia, where many people share the ups and downs of their visa process.

One example that has gained attention this week is the story of Camila Correa, who has tried seven times without success, despite claiming to meet all the requirements for a visitor visa: financial stability, real estate ownership, and a history of travel abroad.

2.

I believe that this is quite an unfair situation because many of those who want to attend the World Cup are trying to get their visas in an honest and very expensive way and keep being rejected with no further explanation, and even though Colombia seems to be currently favored compared to other countries, it doesn't change the terrible fact of the denied opportunities for people to go to the US with merely recreation and entertainment purposes.(Antonia Ortiz)

3. What makes you say that?  Valeria Plaza Rojas

This can be said because Colombia has been severely affected, as it is not easy to obtain a VISA  from the US embassy, ​​as it takes a long time to obtain one, making this an unfair situation for Colombians. Examples like Dor Ernesto and Angela, who were rejected without any explanation, even though they were very well prepared for this. With a percentage of 31% rejected at the beginning of 2025, which does not allow Colombians to visit  this country.

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1. 1 What is going on

In the kitchen, freshly returned from their visa appointment at the U.S Don Ernesto and Doña Angela seem very sad because the required the visa and it was denied. Their aspiration was to attend the 2026 soccer World Cup and going to Disney with their grandkids. The family endured a 15-month wait for an interview appointment, paid $700 USD in non-refundable fees, and traveled to Bogotá for biometric testing and a brief two-minute interview, during which they were informed that their tourist visas were not approved.

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I say this because the article highlights the emotional and financial toll the visa process takes on ordinary people, like Ernesto and Angela, who followed all the rules but were still denied without explanation. Their experience reflects a broader trend of high rejection rates and a lack of transparency, which discourages legitimate travelers. The article also shows that while security concerns exist, the percentage of Colombian overstayers is relatively low compared to other countries, suggesting that many applicants pose little risk. Additionally, even U.S. travel industry leaders are urging reforms, recognizing that strict and unclear visa policies are harming tourism and the economy ahead of major international events like the World Cup. (Arrieta Romero)

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1. What is going on?

1. 1 Introduction: Sellamen
The article discusses the various increasing challenges faced by Colombian people in obtaining United States of America visitor visas, highlighting the long waiting times, the high costs and a rising rejection rate of migrants.

1.2 Less waiting but fewer visas: Sellamen
While the waiting time for visa interviews has decreased from 24 months to 12 months due the increased consular time, the rejection rate has going to 31% in the first half of 2025, with over 106,000 out of 342,000 applications denied.

1.3 Mixed messages: Mortola
The U.S.A. officials have announced measures such as "double shifts" and an AI implementation to provide visa processing with the purpose of the 2026 World Cup. However, conflicting statements suggest that the late applicants may not be accommodated to it.

1.4 A small window to fix things: Mortola
The U.S.A. Travel Association warns that visa impediments are the "single biggest deterrent" to visiting the U.S., pushing for increased consular staff and resources to avoid missing economic opportunities tied to the major events like the World Cup and the country's (USA) 250th anniversary.

2. What is your opinion? Juan Andrés Mateus

The situation reflects a systemic problem where the demand for U.S.A. visitor visas from Colombia exceeds the capacity of the embassy to process applications efficiently. Meanwhile efforts to reduce waiting times are suspicious, also, the high rejection rates and lack of transparency in the process of making decisions contribute to a sense of frustration and uncertainty in the people.

3. What makes you say that? – Samuel Gomez Poveda

Personal Stories: The article shares personal accounts, such as that of Don Ernesto and Doña Angela, who were rejected without explanation despite significant time and financial investments.

Statistical Data: The reported 31% rejection rate in the first half of 2025 indicates a significant barrier for many Colombians seeking to visit the U.S.

Official Statements: Conflicting messages from U.S. officials about visa processing timelines contribute to public confusion and concern.

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Maria paz, Gabriela Otálora, Juan Alejandro Rodríguez, Juan Álvarez

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Maria paz, Gabriela Otálora, Juan Alejandro Rodríguez, Juan Álvarez

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Introduction:
Crushing their plans to go to the 2026 football, Ernesto and Angela, a Colombian couple, recently had their U.S. tourist visa requests denied without explanation. Visit Disneyland with their grandchildren at the World Cup. Their ambition was abruptly rejected despite their industrious past and extended waiting for the interview, leaving them irritated and disillusioned.

Fewer visas but less waiting: About 31% of visa applications from Colombia have been denied in 2025, indicating a pattern of greater rejection rates than in years past. Though U.S. embassy in Bogotá visa interview wait times have gotten better, from as long as 24 months to about 12 months due the number of visas issued has decreased dramatically for more employees, so Colombians find it more difficult to obtain tourist visas.

mixed signals:
U.S. officials send opposing signals regarding visa access. Some guarantee that consulates will strive more and utilize technology to hasten visa processing before the 2026 World Cup; others caution that It's doubtful people would get a visa in time if they haven't already applied. Simultaneously, the U.S. government is also planning to reduce embassy resources and has imposed travel restrictions on some countries.

Therefore, aggravating the already complex situation short window to correct matters
U.S. officials have only a short window to enhance visa processing and communication as the 2026 World Cup nears. Fans and families like Ernesto and Angela may miss out on the opportunity to be at the event, therefore stressing the pressing need for Improved support from the U.S. embassy and more clear direction.

Personal view:
Particularly for families like Ernesto and Angela who have worked hard and prepared well ahead, this circumstance seems very unjust and aggravating. The lack of openness regarding why visas are rejected causes unneeded suffering.

Justification:
Although it's natural that visa procedures need security and rigorous vetting, striking that with effective, straightforward communication and fair processing times is vital. Should the U.S. want to greet tourists for a large event like the World Cup, it should provide more support to actual applicants and so avoid crushing their aspirations with indeterminate rejections and protracted delays. From the authorities better planning and sympathy could help immensely.

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Mariana Castiblanco, Maria Camila Gómez, Santiago Sarria, Juan Camilo Ruíz, Nicolás Niño

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Mariana Castiblanco, Maria Camila Gómez, Santiago Sarria, Juan Camilo Ruíz, Nicolás Niño

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1. Mariana Castiblanco, Camila Gómez: As it can be seen with Ernesto and Angela´s situation eventhought they spent time and money in the visa to travel to the U.S. it was denied.

During the last years, the denial percentage of visas incremented by 42 % since the previous persidence of Trump. On top of that, people spent a long time on queue just to have their visas disaproved, making them lost not only money but also effort.

Nowadays, the U.S. goverment and the secretary of state Marco Rubio said that he would speed up the process of visas, however, he added that if you haven´t applied already you probably won´t get it here. The U.S. goverment hasn´t taken a decision about migrants yet.

The U.S goverment has opened a window to fix the pressing issue related to the visas; for instance a lot of Colombians have expressed their disgust in platforms like twitter arguing about the inefficiency of the visas process.

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I believe the situation is unfair and disheartening, especially for people like Don Ernesto and Doña Angela who clearly had sincere intentions and went through the proper legal process. They invested significant time, effort, and money , only to be rejected without explanation, which adds to the frustration and sense of humiliation. While it’s understandable that the US has to manage border security and prevent visa overstays, rejecting genuine tourists without offering a reason feels arbitrary and disrespectful. With major events like the 2026 World Cup approaching, the U.S. should be making it easier ( Daniella Vasquez )( Sofia Molina ) ( What is your personal opinion )

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Because there have been a lot of testinomies of people who have had their Visa's cancelled and other people libing on the USA whose rights has been violated and they have been on the jail without a justified cause, this creates an unsecure environment and fear the idea of traveling to this country. Another important reason, is that Colombia's president has not searched for a solution but instead he made the problem bigger by arguing on social media.

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THINKING ROUTINE: WHAT MAKES YOU SAY THAT? Graded!

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THINKING ROUTINE: WHAT MAKES YOU SAY THAT? Graded!

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1. Write the question: What is going on? and answer it by paraphrasing each otf these sections of the article:

1.1Intro.

1.2.Less waiting but fewer visas

1.3.Mixed messages

1.4.A small window to fix things…

2. What is your personal opinion on this situation?

3. What makes you say that? (justify your position)

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Mariana Castiblanco, María Camila Gómez, Santiago Sarria, Nicolás Niño, Juan Camilo Ruiz 

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Mariana Castiblanco, María Camila Gómez, Santiago Sarria, Nicolás Niño, Juan Camilo Ruiz 

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2. Santiago Sarria: Colombian population is suffering a lot to get a VISA from the US embassy, this situation really denigrates people that want to flight to USA generating me a lot of indignation since the people who postulate waste a lot of time and they are treated like animals, this is fault of Donald Trump migrants policies and Gustavo Petro fights in twitter with the USA administration, leaving Colombians on a big gap between accomplishing their dream to flight to the USA or being ignored and discarded as animals.