Effected by AWA

[Samer78 9]

I recently joined VJ, and I found out that it has a very valuable information to guide anyone whose facing AWA bar. I have been on the SOR since 2004, so it has been more than 10 years and I am listed under tier 2. I just got married it may of 2014, but I never thought I would face any hurdle to bring my wife to USA. I went to specialized immigration lawyer, she explained everything to me, but what was shocking to me is when she said your chances is 10 percent or less because of the AWA bar.

I read a lot of successful stories in here from people who beats the AWA bar, and what kind of documents they submitted to get the process rolling. It would be nice if they can share their stories with me and tell me how to start, or inbox me some samples of their supports letters by co-worker, friends, family and sworn affidavit by the petitioner and the beneficiary, just to have an idea on how to write mine.

I will keep this short to get some feedback from you guys, and will elaborate more on what I have

Thank you so much the help, and wish everyone happy holidays.

[Villanelle 4,122]

Well you will find that most people on here for privacy reasons tend to discuss details via inboxes and not in public threads.

Its kind of strange that you say you went to a specialized immigration attny and are now asking for help on phrasings of letters (?) Are you not filing with the attny? Or just looking for some extra input?

Im sure they advised you the process is very very long. Everyones situation is unique and there is no magic formula to say well 3 letters from neighbors and 1 from a priest and 2 from the local weatherman will get it approved.

I will offer you some advice though. Keep in mind this is just my opinion. Im basing it on my observations, research and interactions Ive had with others. Im no lawyer but I have common sense and youll see that its really just common sense they (USCIS) use when applying AWA.

Its such an odd thing in itself- the AWA- hmmm are you a threat?? you of course swear up and down no and they scratch their heads going hum do we believe you?

Well another thing that hinges greatly on hum do we believe you is the whole bonafide marriage thing. I entered this marriage in good faith and not for benefits. They have to trust that both the USC and the immigrant entered with good intentions and are able to make truthful statements.

Something that shows you are unable to make truthful statements is proof you have lied to the police during the course of an investigation. This is why they want all court and arrest and police documents relating to the crime. It appears if your papers show you were caught doing something and did not attempt to cover it up and make things worse. You owned up to it and took a deal or confessed then good for you. Yes you did wrong but you were truthful. That is something that needs to be stressed.

If you fought the charges to the bitter end cursing and swearing it wasnt me! I was wronged! I swear it wasnt me- and they proved it was. Well then according to USCIS you are a liar. You lied then and you will lie again for benefits. You will lie again to hurt someone. You can not be trusted. Most likely a denial.

I dont know the specifics of your case. You must present them everything though. They spend so much time because they do a lot of research trying to dig up any dirt pertaining to it that you maybe dont want them to find. I mean of course who wouldnt turn in 7 pages of good stuff and conveniently leave out the one bad page where you maybe dont come off so good.

So try to find everything you can- newspaper, court docs etc. It may have been a long time ago but its around somewhere.

Best of luck on your journey.

[Samer78 9]

Damara,

I have not hired any attorney yet, I was just asking different lawyers to see who they will handle my case. I just hear a common answer from them, first the process is going to take a long time, second I need to prove to them that I do not pose threat to my wife. So here is what I am hoping from this post.

1. I was trying to get samples letters written by petitioner/ beneficiary, co-workers and friends. Just to have an idea on how to write my own.

2. Some people indicated that they used voting card/registration, and MBA Certificate as good exemplary service to the community, can someone explain to me how is that consider good exemplary to the community.

For those who can not share anything on public post, please inbox me. I really appreciate every piece of information you provide me with.

Thanks Damara for the feedback and for sharing your thoughts about the issue in general.

[Villanelle 4,122]

Ah- well here are two links on GMC (good moral character) letter writing.

http://www.endisolation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Affidavit_Support_ChecklistSamples_reduced.pdf

http://www.goldengateimmigration.com/2012/04/nine-essential-elements-of-a-character-reference-letter/

After reading through the pages you'll see the things you mentioned above- voting cards, MBA certificates are just supporting evidence that tie into the letters. You want to be able to prove everything you say in the letters.

A voters card can show you participate in your community. Youre not a shut in hermit in a dark basement stalking your neighbors. You know the issues facing the community and take an active role in the direction its going.

So if you claim church activities and get letters from church goers- attach church evidences. Photos, programs with your name, event flyers- whatever it might be. If its a school based reference back it up with school based visual proof. You get what Im saying? Its like on pawn stars. A typed out letter is just words on computer paper. Its not worth much with out the provenance.

They of course decide how much weight to put on each piece of evidence. Generally speaking, ordinary people are good- but truth be told they are mmm ordinary.. It does specifically state in the policy manuals to give more weight to people (and Im paraphrasing here, if you want the exact list youll have to google it) but generally people with titles or letters before/after their names (md, phd,lcsw, Judge, Officer, Detective)

An Md or Psych dr or licensed social worker is the only one who CAN certify you completed something. So you are going to want that. Bonus points if you can get personal letters from people in that category.

[Samer78 9]

Damara,

Your respond really helpful. Do you have any idea which letter that need to be certified, or all of them have to be certified?

[Villanelle 4,122]

By 'certified' you probably mean notarized.

There are varying opinions on that. Some feel it adds weight to it if its an ordinary person. You do need to realize anyone that submits anything is opening themselves up to being contacted by USCIS, so make sure the letter contains their full name, address and a working phone number w/voicemail. (if it doesnt- well its the gov- they will find them with no problem lol) Its common courtesy to advise the letter writers that someone may come verifying the content down the road whether its a brief over the phone chat or a please come to our office.

Some feel notarizing it will make USCIS less likely to want to speak to them, others feel it makes them more suspicious to speak with them. So who knows..?

I would suggest taking it on a case by case basis. Look at what you are considering having notarized and the surrounding evidence that attaches to it. A notary is basically a person in power. They have a stamp issued by the gov and are sworn to check credentials - not the content- but just credentials of whats being presented to them to make sure whats being signed is being done by the right person.

So if you have lots of evidence of Mr Smith, a photo from the newspaper from a public event with his name under it, a personal photos of you two at said event and a letter from him talking about your character- well getting a notary saying yeah Mr Smith signed this- probably isnt needed.

(Drs wont notarize. Basically if some one has a "letterhead" then its sufficient and its easily verified by USCIS)