A letter of clearance establishes that you have a clean criminal record in a given city or county. You may be asked for one when applying for a visa or green card, adopting a child or finding a job.
Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FOIA) Use our online FOIA system to request your own immigration record, another person's immigration record, or non-A-File information such as policies, data, or communications.
You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions asked by immigration officers if you do not want to answer them. This includes questions about your citizenship status, birthplace or place of residence.
Introduce yourself and provide your own citizenship/immigration status. Establish your relationship with the applicant. Describe the applicant's personality traits with supporting examples. Write in a narrative format to support the purpose of the letter.
Provide details in your letter, specific examples about the applicant, that gives the immigration officer/judge a fuller picture of the kind of person the applicant is and why they are deserving of being granted their application to remain in the U.S. The more detailed, the better. Use your own words.
An effective immigration letter should be clear, authentic, and professional. It must include a relationship declaration between the writer and the applicant, details supporting the applicant's character and intentions, and any relevant personal stories or testimonials.
Maintain a formal tone throughout your immigration letter to convey respect and professionalism. Start by addressing the recipient with their appropriate title followed by their last name, such as "Dear Judge Smith" or "To Whom It May Concern". Use formal language and avoid colloquialisms or slang.
Your letter should be addressed to the USCIS office that is responsible for your case. You can find the address on the USCIS website or by contacting the USCIS national customer service center. You should also include a clear and professional salutation, such as “Dear USCIS Officer” or “To Whom It May Concern.”