MAY 2023 filers

[oneoftheunderdogs 94]

6 minutes ago, Roxy&Ryan said:

Is the 2 affidavit from family and or friends not necessary? i notice i dont see this on your list or a few other cover letters that i have seen.

It depends on what other evidence you have. What I've gathered from other posts in this forum is that affidavits are generally considered weaker evidence. But if that is what you have you should obviously include them. I chose not to because I felt we had enough evidence such as financial co-mingling, assets, taxes, etc...

[Roxy&Ryan 72]

4 minutes ago, oneoftheunderdogs said:

It depends on what other evidence you have. What I've gathered from other posts in this forum is that affidavits are generally considered weaker evidence. But if that is what you have you should obviously include them. I chose not to because I felt we had enough evidence such as financial co-mingling, assets, taxes, etc...

Thanks for your response. I do have other evidence was just wondering why i didnt see it on the list.

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

 

5 minutes ago, oneoftheunderdogs said:

It depends on what other evidence you have. What I've gathered from other posts in this forum is that affidavits are generally considered weaker evidence. But if that is what you have you should obviously include them. I chose not to because I felt we had enough evidence such as financial co-mingling, assets, taxes, etc...

I agree.  I see no reason a real marriage would not be able to generate the quality evidence required/recommended for an I-751.  Thus, personal affidavits are of little value.

Fun fact:  Less than 1% of all I-751s are actually denied.  Thus, they do little.  Time for Congress to eliminate them completely.  

[oneoftheunderdogs 94]

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

 

I agree.  I see no reason a real marriage would not be able to generate the quality evidence required/recommended for an I-751.  Thus, personal affidavits are of little value.

Fun fact:  Less than 1% of all I-751s are actually denied.  Thus, they do little.  Time for Congress to eliminate them completely.  

Agreed. I can see affidavits being helpful for folks that just got married and have not had the opportunity to gather enough "real" or strong evidence for their I-485 or similar.

[FeelingYoung66 14]

Regardless of opinions as to their worth, at the present time the official I-751 instructions say you should include at least two affidavits. I included four.

[oneoftheunderdogs 94]

2 minutes ago, FeelingYoung66 said:

Regardless of opinions as to their worth, at the present time the official I-751 instructions say you should include at least two affidavits. I included four.

That's great! Anyone should include what they think makes the strongest case!

 

However, I believe the general consensus is that out of those EXAMPLES in the USCIS instructions, affidavits are the weakest evidence, which is all that @Crazy Cat and myself stated. Further, USCIS itself notes in the instructions that  "Affidavits must be supported by other types of
evidence listed above."

[OldUser 6,983]

6 minutes ago, FeelingYoung66 said:

Regardless of opinions as to their worth, at the present time the official I-751 instructions say you should include at least two affidavits. I included four.

My lawyer also instructed me to submit those despite of other good evidence. Will report when my case is finally approved.

[OldUser 6,983]

6 minutes ago, oneoftheunderdogs said:

That's great! Anyone should include what they think makes the strongest case!

 

However, I believe the general consensus is that out of those EXAMPLES in the USCIS instructions, affidavits are the weakest evidence, which is all that @Crazy Cat and myself stated. Further, USCIS itself notes in the instructions that  "Affidavits must be supported by other types of
evidence listed above."

At the same time, instructions also say:

 

"Submit copies of documents indicating that the marriage upon which you were granted status was entered in good faith and was not for the purpose of circumventing immigration laws. Submit copies of as many documents as you can to establish this fact, to demonstrate the circumstances of the relationship from the date of the marriage to the present date;"

 

I interpret this literally. If I could obtain affidavits, I should have done it, regardless of their weight compared to other strong evidence already provided. Also I am a strong believer there's no such thing as "too much evidence". As long as it's relevant, it should be included. My opinion only.

Edited May 10, 2023 by OldUser

[oneoftheunderdogs 94]

Just now, OldUser said:

At the same time, instructions also say:

 

"Submit copies of documents indicating that the marriage upon which you were granted status was entered in good faith and was not for the purpose of circumventing immigration laws. Submit copies of as many documents as you can to establish this fact, to demonstrate the circumstances of the relationship from the date of the marriage to the present date;"

 

I interpret this literally. If I could obtain affidavits, I should have done it, regardless of their weight compared to other strong evidence already provided. 

Totally, I am not against submitting affidavits. Like I said, whatever one feels makes their case stronger!

[OldUser 6,983]

2 minutes ago, oneoftheunderdogs said:

Totally, I am not against submitting affidavits. Like I said, whatever one feels makes their case stronger!

This forum definitely seen people submitting weaker packages and getting approved. And also stronger packages getting RFEs. There's an element of luck too. Agreed, people can decide what makes sense for them to submit.

Edited May 10, 2023 by OldUser

[oneoftheunderdogs 94]

Just now, OldUser said:

This forum definitely seen people submitting weaker packages and getting approved. And also stronger packages getting RFEs. There's an element of luck too.

Agreed! Isn't there always with USCIS?!

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence (uscis.gov)

"Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by at least two people who have known both of you since your conditional residence was granted and have personal knowledge of your marriage and relationship. (Such persons may be required to testify before an immigration officer as to the information contained in the affidavit.) The original affidavit must be submitted and also contain the following information regarding the person making the affidavit: his or her full name and address; date and place of birth; relationship to you or your spouse, if any; and full information and complete details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge. Affidavits must be supported by other types of evidence listed above"

Edited May 10, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

1 hour ago, oneoftheunderdogs said:

"Affidavits must be supported by other types of
evidence listed above."

I've never quite figured out what you can send to support a personal affidavit.  After all, it says "MUST be supported...."

Edited May 10, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[OldUser 6,983]

33 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I've never quite figured out what you can send to support a personal affidavit.  After all, it says "MUST be supported...."

My only interpretation only:

 

"Recently, Mary and Chris became parents and I celebrated their daughter's birthday" => Supported by child's birth certificate

 

"Last year, Mary and Chris became homeowners and I got invited for their housewarming party" => supported by copy of a deed with both names.

 

"Mary and Chris celebrated their wedding anniversary in Hawaii which I attended" => Copies of boarding passes / reservations.

 

Not that person giving affidavit must submit evidence, but it should be supported by evidence in the packet, e.g. not be groundless. That's how I personally understand it.

Edited May 10, 2023 by OldUser

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

9 minutes ago, OldUser said:

My only interpretation only:

 

"Recently, Mary and Chris became parents and I celebrated their daughter's birthday" => Supported by child's birth certificate

 

"Last year, Mary and Chris became homeowners and I got invited for their housewarming party" => supported by copy of a deed with both names.

 

"Mary and Chris celebrated their wedding anniversary in Hawaii which I attended" => Copies of boarding passes / reservations.

 

Not that person giving affidavit must submit evidence, but it should be supported by evidence in the packet, e.g. not be groundless. That's how I personally understand it.

Makes sense.  Thanks.