I live in Colombia and applied for a tourist visa to the U.S. which was denied because the Consulate thought I had “immigrant intent.” What does this mean? Can I appeal?

Under US immigration law, every alien is presumed to have immigrant intent unless he or she establishes to the satisfaction of an immigration officer at the time of application that he or she is entitled to nonimmigrant status.

Usually this means the applicant must show that he or she has a permanent residence abroad that he or she has no intention of abandoning. If the immigrant fails this test, he or she may not be permitted to enter the US, or may have the visa terminated.