F1 Visa Denied (214b) - Aeronautical Engineer with parents in US asylum process. Looking for advice on my new strategy

Title: F1 Visa Denied (214b) - Aeronautical Engineer with parents in US asylum process. Looking for advice on my new strategy (CDT, Lemon farm project).

Post Body:

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some honest feedback on my profile for a second F1 visa attempt. My first interview in Bogotá Colombia was quite short, and I was denied under section 214(b). I’m trying to figure out if my new "ties" are strong enough to overcome the red flags.

My Profile:

• Age: 23, Male.

• Profession: Aeronautical Engineer.

• Goal: MS in Aerospace Engineering (Propulsion) at Parks College (SLU).

• Funding: MPOWER Loan + Personal Savings.

The Red Flags:

• Family: Both of my parents are currently in the US with a pending asylum process.

• Recent Travel: I spent 5 months in the US on a B1/B2 visa visiting them and returned to Colombia this March. During the interview, the officer focused almost entirely on this and assumed I intended to stay.

Current Situation & Strategy:

I’m trying to build a solid "wall of ties" to prove my intent to return:

1. Asset Management: I own an apartment in Bogotá. I am planning to sell it next month, but instead of taking the cash, I will invest 100% of the proceeds into a CDT (Certificate of Deposit) in a Colombian bank to show the capital is staying in the country.

2. Agricultural Project: I recently inherited a 2-hectare rural property. The lease agreement will be under my name starting April 1st. More importantly, I am launching a commercial farming project to plant 1,500 "Limón Mandarino" (Citrus x limonia) trees. I’m already managing soil preparation and specialized machinery for this.

3. Job Market: I am reaching out to my former boss at a local airline to see if I can return to a technical role before my next interview. However, finding vacancies in Aeronautical Engineering here is a bit difficult due to the niche market, so I might be "self-employed" managing my farm and assets by the time I re-apply.

My Questions:

• Should I defer my enrollment? My I-20 is for August, but I’m wondering if applying in 3 months is too soon. Would it be better to wait until the lemon farm and the CDT have more "seniority"?

• CDT vs. Property: Does selling the apartment to open a CDT look like a strong tie, or could it be seen as "liquidating" assets to flee? My goal is to show the money is locked in Colombia.

• Agricultural Ties: How much weight do consular officers give to long-term agricultural projects? A citrus farm takes years to yield, which is my main reason to return.

I'd appreciate any insights, especially regarding the "timing" and how to handle the inevitable questions about my parents. Thanks