Employer doesn't want to write a support letter due to company policy

[Eternal Spring 10]

Hi, friends. My employer said she can't write a support letter stating what my attorney has requested (along the lines of things like how I'm a good employee and it would be hard for her to have to find a replacement for me and train that person, if I had to move to Guatemala if my husband loses his case).

She stated that it's due to company policy--we have federal contracts, which apparently requires that the company follow very strict rules. (For example, they only confirm dates of employment if someone calls to ask for a reference about former employees.)

How much of a problem is this? I can get a letter from HR providing details about my salary, stating that I'm currently employed, etc. (required for the Affidavit of Support), but the immigration attorney really wants me to get a letter from my boss stating what a great employee I am...

(The extreme hardship we're arguing is due to a rare genetic illness that I have, but the lawyer wants us to be able to demonstrate multiple hardships, including financial/career/etc.)

Thanks for your advice!

Edited April 28, 2016 by Eternal Spring

[Merrytooth 5,748]

In these days, no one is indispensable.

It is a tough sell to say that employer could not find a replacement.

How about you try to argue that it would be tough for you to find similar job with good wages in Guatemala?

[Rc123rc 528]

Your company could get into a lot of trouble for writing a letter other than confirmation of employment and so on. I don't think you are going to be able to pursue this. Your lawyer should have known better to ask you to try and get one from your boss. Even now, personal references for interviews are almost useless because of restrictions on what can be said verbally or in writing about a former employee.

[Eternal Spring 10]

Thank you both for the advice, I appreciate it. Yes, I will be also documenting wages for jobs in my field in Guatemala (they are essentially paying just 1/4 of what I earn in the US, based on Guatemalan job listings online). I've already obtained the hardship letter from my medical doctor.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Good luck to you