Legal Question in Consumer Law in District of Columbia

Foreign Embassy loses passport

I am live in CA and am trying to obtain a 3 visit visa from the Lao Embassy in Washington D.C.

My tracking slip shows that the embassy received my applications and passports on Sept 30. Their website www.laoembassy.com states that I should allow them 20 working days and a fee of $35 for visa & $15 for service. I sent a money order for $150. On Oct 19th, the embassy calls stating that a visitor visa is $50/person and that we owed them $45. They received it on Oct 22, 2005. Yesterday, I spoke to a young man and he stated that he could not find my passports under my name. He requested my parents names and he said he would call me back. This morning (11/2/05), I spoke to another man, provided him with all the details above and he said he would call me back. So far no one has return my call. I believe they have lost our passports.

My flight to China leaves on Nov 12, 2005. It seems likely that we will miss our flights.

What legal recourse do I have? Can I sue the Embassy to refund my airfares, replacement of our chinese visas, passports, fees in changing our flights? If so, how do I go about obtaining an attorney and what sort of attorney?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.


Asked on 11/02/05, 4:54 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Foreign Embassy loses passport

The Laotian Embassy and its employees are covered

by what the law calls sovereign immunity for the kinds of acts/mishaps/omissions which you've described.

You will not be able to sue them, successfully, that is.

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Answered on 11/02/05, 5:03 pm
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Re: Foreign Embassy loses passport

As attorney Hendrickson said, you can't sue the Lao, no way no how. The State Dept might be able to help. I would start by calling your Congressperson and/or Senators.

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Answered on 11/02/05, 6:11 pm
Robert F. Cohen Law Office of Robert F. Cohen

Re: Foreign Embassy loses passport

You might also re-post your message for an immigration law attorney. Perhaps they could give you some more guidance. I have no clue, unfortunately. Good luck.

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Answered on 11/02/05, 7:03 pm


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