An immigration letter is a powerful tool for influencing immigration officers’ decisions. It is usually written by people who know the petitioner well, and it is highly important when it comes to recommending and authenticating the applicant’s personality, qualifications, and eligibility for migration.
Knowing this, there are mistakes to avoid when writing a support letter so as not to cause unnecessary problems during the application process. This article explains what is required to write a family-based immigration letter of support.
What Is An Immigration Letter Of Support?
This is a written statement that indicates your backing, motivation, or endorsement for the person you’re writing the letter for- typically a family member. It’s just like making an official statement that supports and enhances their application. Usually, it highlights how you are related to the applicant, your experience with them, and why you intend to stand by them.
A well-written support letter has great potential to influence decision-making processes by validating statements and, ultimately, increasing the chances of success.
Importance of an Immigration Letter of Support
An immigration letter of support is a document that is indispensable and of incomparable importance. This is why it matters:
- Personal Touch: An immigration letter of support allows you to share personal stories and experiences that highlight the character and qualities of your family member. These personal details cannot be captured by official documents.
- Credibility Boost: By vouching for your family member, you add value to their application. In this regard, your supporting letter shows immigration officials that there are real people behind the applicants’ lives who believe in their credibility.
- Context and Background: You can provide information on your family member’s history and situation in ways that make them more than just simple facts. It helps those responsible for deciding to understand who they are dealing with.
- Community Impact: Highlighting the various ways your family member has engaged in community activities and showing the positive impact shows that they are good people who are dedicated to helping those around them.
- Supporting Evidence: If your family member has made certain claims in their application, this letter can provide evidence and examples from real-life situations to support these claims.
- Holistic View: Your support letter helps officials see your family members as individuals rather than just papers and forms. Such information becomes vital during decision-making.
Potential Reasons for Writing an Immigration Support Letter for a Family Member
An immigration support letter may be drafted for various reasons, such as when a family member is applying for citizenship or seeking to move to America. Some other reasons are as follows:
- Family Reunification: A support letter may greatly help if one of your relatives wants to join you in America. It serves as the best method to indicate that you are here already and will actively support them.
- Refugee Cases: If you have a family member who seeks asylum in the U.S. because they are fleeing danger in their home country, a letter of support from you can make a difference.
- Facing Deportation: The trauma of having a loved one removed from their home because they are facing deportation is real. Your letter can demonstrate how good of a citizen they have been and why they don’t deserve to be deported.
What to Include in an Immigration Letter of Support
Letterhead
If possible, use paper or a document with a letterhead (perhaps with your organization’s logo). Always date the letter, and make sure to sign it. This is very important.
Who You are addressing
Make sure you know to whom the letter goes. If it is to the Home Office, address it as Home Office (Secretary of State for the Home Department). If it is a letter to the court, address it to the court.
Who You Are
Talk about your identity, work, and relationship with the person requesting the letter. Be sure to include why you’re the right person to write this letter on the petitioner’s behalf.
Paragraphs
Number your paragraphs. This will help lawyers reference the points you make in their submissions, and it will also help the judge navigate the evidence in court.
Stay Focused
There’s no need to provide irrelevant information in the name of ‘explaining’. Be precise, and write about the parts of your relationship that are relevant and can help with the application or case.
Attach Relevant Documents
If possible, include proof of your identification. Additionally, if your family member has any certificates or membership documents from organizations they belong to, attaching these can strengthen your immigration letter of support.
Attendance Notes
If you are a member of a charity that supports your family member, you can refer to attendance notes to share exact dates and details of certain events in your immigration letter of support.
Certify Translation
If the support letter or any accompanying documents are in another language, they must be translated by an authorized translator. The translator must sign off on the translation and confirm that they have done their best to accurately translate.
What to Avoid in an Immigration Letter of Support
1. Do not write Like an Expert: Be aware of your field of expertise’s limitations. For instance, if you are not a mental health professional and your letter concerns a family member’s mental health status, only describe their symptoms and try not to diagnose.
2. Bias: Your language must not show any form of bias. Try not to use words that suggest the Home Office’s actions have been inconsiderate or unfair. Be neutral, because the Home Office requires objective and unbiased evidence.
3. Unnecessary information: You do not have to give a summary of the facts as this will be done elsewhere.
4. Vague language: Avoid generalities in your language. Specific examples are more persuasive and provide a detailed picture of the candidate’s qualifications and character.
Problems with Writing an Immigration Support Letter for a Family Member
Writing an immigration support letter for a family member may be difficult. Some of the issues that may occur include:
1. Striking a Right Balance: As you write, you should try to be positive and supportive but honest too. The point is to find a good spot where encouraging words do not turn into flattery.
2. Giving Details: You could argue that your relative is good at something until someone asks you some specific cases that demonstrate this claim. These details are hard to come across, especially when you are not conversant with formal writing processes.
3. Keeping it Professional: The letter should retain its personal touch while still being formal enough. Getting this balance right is difficult especially if you usually talk informally with members of your family.
4. Timing Issues: It might be quite hard to coordinate when the letter should be written, particularly if the writer has a tight schedule. If one fails to start with the process of writing, it can cause delays in application.
5. Emotional Hurdles: Emotionally, writing about a family member can be difficult, and sensitive situations make it more daunting. At the same time, maintaining a positive tone while acknowledging any difficulties is also complicated.
6. Legal and Format Requirements: Sometimes there are specific formats that must be followed or legal guidelines that may apply. Letters sometimes don’t meet these demands especially when one does not know how they are done.
7. Confidentiality Concerns: Sharing personal information can sometimes feel uncomfortable, and you may want to leave out sensitive details that could impact the depth of your letter.
Who Can Write an Immigration Letter of Support?
Different people or groups aware of your circumstances can make a convincing case for your character and abilities. Here are a few examples of people who could assist you with a letter:
Relatives
Family members who have witnessed your growth, achievements, or successes could write strongly worded reference letters.
Friends and Peers
Friends or peers with a good understanding of your values and accomplishments can write strong statements in support of you.
Who Is A Letter Of Support Addressed To?
An immigration letter of support may address USCIS, the Immigration Court, or the adjudicating officer handling the case.
Sample of an Immigration Letter of Support
Below is a sample of a standard immigration letter of support:
Florence Adebayo
123 Main Street
Springfield, IL 62701
florencejohn@gmail.com
(555) 245-7765
July 7, 2023
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
2501 S. State Hwy 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067
Letter of Support for Susan Adebayo
Dear Sir/Madam,
My aim in writing is to say that I agree with my sister’s immigration application. I have known Susan all her life and can vouch for her good conduct, strong work ethic as well as the positive effect she would bring to the US.
Talk about someone who is a committed family member. That would be Susan. Her love for family is truly unmatched and I am certain she would bring this love and more to the United States.
Susan is currently a resident in Nigeria and she’s highly competent professionally in nursing. She graduated with a degree in nursing from the University of Jos and has worked as a nurse for more than four years. The way she takes care of patients plus her compassionate approach towards nursing will be an invaluable asset in America’s health sector.
Not only is Susan qualified for the job but also she has been participating actively in community service. For three years now, she has volunteered at Pro Health Limited which serves as an NGO where she uses her skills to help underprivileged people. Her community involvement stems from her deep sense of obligation to humanity and a desire for community service.
Susan will, I believe, be true to the American ideals. Her presence here will not only benefit our family but also contribute positively to the broader community. Susan is ready to assume the duties and take hold of the opportunities that come from being a citizen of this country.
I have attached copies of relevant documents including my identification proof and Susan’s certificates earned at the University of Jos. These documents also serve as evidence of the facts contained herein.
Moreover, as a former immigrant, she possesses a deep understanding of American culture and the challenges of adapting to a new life.
Attached are copies of various necessary papers containing my ID card, plus some certificates awarded by the University Of Jos which belong to Susan. The documents mentioned above provide additional evidence.
I do hereby recommend strongly immigration for Susan Adebayo and I am positive that she will bring new values to the United States.
Sincerely,
Florence Adebayo.
Partner with an Experienced Lawyer to Get Your Immigration Letter of Support
To write an effective support letter for immigration, one must emphasize the applicant’s positive aspects while giving detailed examples without generalizing or providing irrelevant information. By adhering to these ground rules, you will help build up a strong argument for your family member under consideration so they can successfully apply for immigration.
If you want an attorney who can help you through writing an immigration letter of support, contact Queens Immigration Attorney today.
