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[Carpe Vinum 2,327]

Affidavits are weak because they are subjective. Anyone can write one for you even if they know you or not. Not saying they won't consider it but 3 years of joint bank accounts that show deposits by both parties and shared deeds/lease agreements are much stronger direct objective evidence. I work as a senior adjudicator in another federal agency. We get personal statements all the time..."Bill is a stand up guy", etc. They get filed under the miscellaneous tab and rarely looked at again))) I understand if it is all you have then send the affidavits. A lot of people just feel the need to send in an enormous amount of evidence. I would much rather look at a clean file with strong evidence two inches thick than dig through a suitcase of paperwork. Some of which may be superfluous. Which one do you think I'm going to push aside for later in the week when I have the time and stamina to look at it. If you think they are all done in strict order based on when they are received you are fooling yourself. The people who adjudicate these cases are human, also. They probably have a production number to hit (cases per day, week, month).

Edited November 18, 2021 by Carpe Vinum

[Rocio0010 5,579]

1 hour ago, Alekezam said:

where  does it specifically say in the instructions

You're right and I stand corrected. It is not in the instructions for the i-751. It is, however, on the instructions for the i-130 stated that you SHOULD submit one or more of the evidence listed (and there is a list which includes the affidavits by third parties). The use of "should" tells me it is not a must. Actually, the word "should" is also on the instructions you copied from form i-751.

I do understand your example and I think it is a very relevant one. However, if it not required from everyone by law then you can't penalize someone that doesn't have it. Meaning, you can't penalize those that didn't have the COVID test or those that did not present the affidavits.

1 hour ago, Alekezam said:

including affidavits is a good thing because whomever is providing an affidavit is on the hook as they are legally bound to testify before an immigration officer if it comes to that. 

Right, and even though they are on the hook, I have yet to see an affiant testify in front of an immigration officer (but just because I haven't seen it it doesn't mean it hasn't happened). 

In my opinion, they are weak evidence because anybody can write whatever they want to make you look good, even if they barely know you or your spouse. 

[Rocio0010 5,579]

6 hours ago, Carpe Vinum said:

Affidavits are weak because they are subjective. Anyone can write one for you even if they know you or not

True. Most people -even if they don’t know you very well- will write something to help you. The key word in the instructions is “should”. Just because it is listed as a suggestion, doesn’t mean they have to be part of the application.

In a case that is loaded with substantial evidence, such as joint back accounts, joint taxes, leases/ deeds, I do not see an affidavit bearing much weight.

Conversely, if the couple not have strong evidence, an affidavit *might* be of help. But as you said, maybe it is something that officers read on a very good day…