Watch CBS News

Senator Rubio Trying To Assist Aguilar Family

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Senator Marco Rubio is offering his assistance to the family of Christian Aguilar, who's been missing for weeks in Gainesville, as two of Aguilar's family members are having difficulty leaving Colombia to join the family in the U.S.

Aguilar's parents reached out to Senator Rubio to help two of Christian's aunts get humanitarian travel visas to the U.S. According to the Senator's office, his staff reached out to the State Department and the Embassy in Bogota to help obtain the visa.

Rubio's office said the State Department and the embassy in Bogota were willing to help the family during this time. Rubio said he was then informed the visa applications were denied by the embassy in Colombia.

According to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald, the visas were denied on the grounds that the women failed to present strong enough ties to Colombia.

"This is outrageous. We should be doing everything we can to help this family during this difficult time," Rubio's office said in a statement. "It's unimaginable that immigration authorities would deny these two relatives who are abiding by all our laws the chance to come assist their family."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.