Tourist Visa (Mentally Disabled Sibling)

[Pennycat 880]

Hi All. Pretty sure I know the potential problems with this but looking for any constructive input. My husband's family is in Costa Rica. His mom now has a 10 year B2 visa and has (properly) used it twice, for two short visits this calendar year (first one was for our wedding in January that was cancelled due to a blizzard, second one for our rescheduled wedding in April). We'd like to have his siblings (half siblings who he was raised with as full siblings if that makes any difference) visit for Thanksgiving.

His sister, 30/single we're pretty sure won't have much trouble (some, probably). She's highly educated (MBA), is the owner of the family business and does all the books and teaches business classes at the university. I'd say her biggest drawback is that she doesn't also own a home but she's traditional enough that she's living at home until she's married, which is not uncommon.

His brother, however.... I'm personally pretty worried. He's just turned 18 and has some sort of mental disability that I'm not entirely clear about but is marked enough that he's been in special schools his whole life and participates in the local Special Olympics events etc. Needless to say, he doesn't have a job and may never have one, let alone one "serious" enough to prove close ties. From the family's perspective, *obviously* he's not looking to immigrate-- his whole life and support system is in Costa Rica, and he's highly dependent on his family. I'm thinking that the consulate could just as easily figure that we'd want him to come live with us here and public charge etc (very much not the case. I am not equipped to raise a special needs teenager and we already have 3 adults in a 2 bedroom apartment and that's unfortunately not going to change anytime soon).

Anything I could possibly do or say to improve his chances and/or prepare the family for what I'm concerned will be a huge let down/ insult?

It stinks because while we can "make up" for missing out on this adventure by having holidays elsewhere (all meet up in Mexico or something), the specific draw is Thanksgiving which involves my whole extended family which is what he loves about it and what he wants his siblings to be here for :/.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

Best of luck to your brother-in-law. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to increase his chances of getting a visitor visa.

[Unlockable 7,314]

Honestly if I was a CO I would give him a visa. But alas...

My question is that since you mentioned how the concern of the CO is that he will be a public charge is he in some form of therapy/ assistance now in CR? I know your family is taking great care of him but does the extent of his metal illness require official medical attention or is it managed only by the family.

If he requires official medical attention than that is where the "public charge" concern would come in.

[az2014 381]

No nothing you can do.

Also worth thinking about medical insurance if he does get the visa.

[Pennycat 880]

No, he's not in any ongoing therapy/medical needs. I think they may get some kind of funding from the government or that some kind of program was/is provided. Really not sure (but I can try to find out). If he receives any sort of benefits, would that help maybe?

I know there's nothing that I specifically can do in terms of making promises/petitioning etc, but in terms of helping to get organized to present his strongest case.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

The family perhaps could prep him for the visa interview so that he could present himself coherently.

Or you could email the US Consulate to ask if family member is allowed to accompany him for interview (His mental disability - medical condition necessitating assistance?).