What to do if USC family members refuse to provide copy of birth certificate?

[Eternal Spring 10]

Hello, I really could use some advice. I am the petitioner and was born in the US. Everyone on my side of the family is a US citizen.

My husband's immigration attorney requested copies of birth certificates or passports for my parents and siblings. The issue is that my sister has refused to give me a copy of her birth certificate, nor will she give copies of her children's birth certificates (my sister is mentally unstable, and believes that the attorney will use their birth certificates to make fake ID's for his clients).

Is this going to be a problem for my husband's I-601A? Will we get RFE because of this? The good news is that I do have copies of the birth certificates for my parents and my other sibling.

From what I was reading online, it might be possible for me to request copies of her and her children's birth certificates here in Seattle from the local Vital Records department, but I'd prefer not to do that, since it would be going behind her back.

I appreciate your advice!

[Georgia16 2,858]

Why does he want that from your parents and siblings and their children for a spouse visa?? Never heard of that before!

[Merrytooth 5,748]

What do your parents / siblings birth certificates or passports got to do with your immigrant husband I-601a?

[Unlockable 7,314]

I'm confused.

What does your sister and her kids have to do with your husband's immigration?

[Eternal Spring 10]

What do your parents / siblings birth certificates or passports got to do with your immigrant husband I-601a?

Apparently, they need it for I-601A to show my ties to the US since all my family are citizens and live here (except for one cousin in Europe).

[Unlockable 7,314]

Apparently, they need it for I-601A to show my ties to the US since all my family are citizens and live here (except for one cousin in Europe).

Umm, NO.

Your birth certificate or Passport alone is sufficient evidence. Asking for an entire family tree's birth certificate is suspicious.

Get a new lawyer.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Your USC parents / siblings could give you their birth certificates but how is that even prove that they live in US at all?

Or you are in close relationships with them?

I-601A is focused on extreme hardships on you - the USC.

You should be the one showing strong ties in US as why you can't go live in your husband's country

Some USC has estrangled family, so how? They have nothing to show ties in US?

[arken 4,197]

This is an indication that your lawyer is not so good.

[Eternal Spring 10]

This is an indication that your lawyer is not so good.

Actually, the lawyer has won awards.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

I suggest you go over to immigrate2us site to look at some sample of the hardship waivers written to get some ideas what are needed.

[Unlockable 7,314]

Actually, the lawyer has won awards.

And?

Doesn't mean he can't pad cases to charge clients more.

A bad lawyer doesn't always mean they don't know what they are doing. It could also mean they are greedy.

[Eternal Spring 10]

And?

Doesn't mean he can't pad cases to charge clients more.

A bad lawyer doesn't always mean they don't know what they are doing. It could also mean they are greedy.

Actually, we've already paid the attorney, so I'm not sure how he would be padding the bill? From my experience with this firm, they basically want to provide as much documentation as possible as evidence for the hardship waiver (I've cited medical, financial, as well as close family ties). Although I believe my medical condition alone would be sufficient for the waiver to be granted, I've followed their instructions and provided evidence for my financial situation, obtained many letters of support (over 20) from friends and relatives, etc.

[Georgia16 2,858]

Actually, we've already paid the attorney, so I'm not sure how he would be padding the bill? From my experience with this firm, they basically want to provide as much documentation as possible as evidence for the hardship waiver (I've cited medical, financial, as well as close family ties). Although I believe my medical condition alone would be sufficient for the waiver to be granted, I've followed their instructions and provided evidence for my financial situation, obtained many letters of support (over 20) from friends and relatives, etc.

You say close family ties. I have a really hard time seeing how your families BC can prove that? It can prove they are USC yes and that you are born into the same family but that's really it.

Many people don't talk to their family or just aren't close. Nobody can read that out from their BC. I personally understand your sister on why she won't provide it.

[Unlockable 7,314]

You are free to get a detailed explanation from this lawyer on how documents like your niece's and nephew's birth certificate will prove ties to the US. Sounds like you have enough incidence for your waiver already.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

We submitted letters from family, not their entire personal information. Sounds to me like overkill in an unnecessary lack of privacy manner.

Letters signed and dated from your family members should be sufficient to prove family ties. Their personal information does not.

Our lawyer explained my relationship to the person writing the letter within her brief and she referenced them as exhibits. That seems sufficient....well it was for us. We were approved in May as fiances.

Won awards for what?! USCIS gives awards?

Edited July 27, 2016 by LionessDeon