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ABC 7's Leon Harris recently traveled to El Salvador to track down answers. In recent months, ABC 7 heard numerous accounts of poor people scraping together as much as $7,000 to be smuggled into the U.S.. Wondering why the people being smuggled didn't just obtain a legal visa and wait their turn in line, Leon quickly found out that nothing about the "Visa Runaround" is that simple.
"Two times I've been denied," said Veronica Ramirez.
The last time Ines Veronica Ramirez' visa application was rejected, she was told she was too old but then, "The officer told me to come back in one year. I probably should get it."
A 23-year-old customs agent, who didn't want to be on camera, said he had been rejected three times. He was told he was too young, but to try again next year.
"A lot of people can't find jobs here and the American Dream has been, you know everybody knows about it," said Salvadoran resident Carlos Diaz.
Everyday before sunrise, hundreds of Salvadorans gathered outside the U.S. embassy in San Salvador, hoping for their chance at a visa to the United States; however, their prospects were bleak.
"I have seen people with seven applications," said Gilberto Hernandez, who worked at a private immigration office, and for a $16 fee, helped ensure the forms were filled out properly.
"We have to prove that it's only a tourist visit. A short time and then they will be back in El Salvador," said Hernandez.
But there were no guarantees.
"It's very hard to get a visa. Even though you can have a job, a house," said Diaz.
The price is exorbitant for many Salvadorans, $130 just to fill out the application. That's nearly a month's pay for anyone earning minimum wage. "Most of the people come one or two times. If they don't receive it, they don't try anymore," said Hernandez.
An applicant must have a phone and phone card to wait for a call from the U.S. Embassy to set up an interview.
"My uncle actually got a permit from the U.S. trying to convince the officers that I was traveling only to visit, but even with that permit, I didn't receive the visa," said Ana Miriam Perez de Chacon.
One pupusa maker had given up on ever getting a visa and so had her sister-in-law, who eight days before ABC 7's interview, was headed to the United States with a smuggler. The family had not heard from her since.
The State Department won't release the number of Salvadorans who apply for the visas. A spokesman said in the last fiscal year, nationwide, roughly 8,000 immigrant visas and another 30,000 tourist and business visas were issued.
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