Letters of support are part of many immigration cases. Family members, friends, employers, and community members write them to back up facts about the applicant. In this guide, Lorenzo Law Group answers the most common questions: how to write a letter of support for an immigrant, what a character reference letter is, what an affidavit of bona fide marriage is, and how pardon letters work.
How do I write a letter of support for an immigrant?
A letter of support is a statement from someone who knows the applicant and supports facts in their case. To be useful, it should include:
- The writer’s full name, address, and phone number.
- Their immigration status or a copy of their ID (recommended).
- How and since when they know the person.
- Specific, verifiable facts, not just general opinions.
- Signature and date.
It can be signed before a notary public or as a declaration under penalty of perjury. If it is not in English, it must be submitted with a full English translation, certified by the translator as complete and accurate.
USCIS does not publish an official template, but most immigration support letters follow this structure:
sample letter of support for immigrant
- Date: “November 5, 2026.”
- Recipient: “To: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS),” or the immigration court if the case is in court.
- Who you are and your status: “My name is [your full name]. I live at [your address] and I am a [U.S. citizen / permanent resident].”
- How and since when you know the person: “I have known [person’s name] since [year], as his or her [neighbor / coworker / friend].”
- Specific, verifiable facts: two or three examples of their work, their family, your relationship, or their role in the community.
- Declaration under penalty of perjury: “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct.”
- Signature, name, and contact details: your signature, name, phone number, and email.
Adapt the facts to your case. Before submitting it, an attorney should review that the letter actually supports the requirements of the case.
What is a character reference letter for immigration?
A character reference letter, also called a good moral character letter, is written by an employer, religious leader, teacher, or community member to describe the applicant’s conduct and reputation. It is used as evidence in cases where good moral character matters, such as naturalization, VAWA, cancellation of removal, or a waiver.
A strong character reference explains how long the writer has known the person and gives concrete examples, such as their work, volunteering, or family responsibilities. It must be signed and dated, and it does not replace official criminal records or court documents.
What is an affidavit of bona fide marriage?
It is a sworn statement from a friend or relative who knows the couple and confirms that the marriage is real (bona fide), not entered into only to obtain immigration benefits. It is commonly submitted in marriage-based green card cases, such as an I-130 petition for a spouse or an I-751 petition to remove conditions on residence.
As with any green card letter of support, the writer should explain how and since when they know the couple and describe specific events they have witnessed, such as the wedding, holidays, or the couple’s life together. It is sworn before a notary public or signed under penalty of perjury. It supports, but does not replace, documents such as a joint lease, joint bank accounts, or tax returns.
What is an affidavit for immigration?
An affidavit is a written, sworn statement in which a person states facts they know firsthand. It is signed before a notary public or as a declaration under penalty of perjury. In immigration, it is used to support facts such as a relationship, a period of residence, or someone’s conduct, especially when official documents are not available.
It should not be confused with the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), sometimes called an immigration sponsor letter: a financial commitment in which the sponsor agrees to support the immigrant. It is required in most family-based green card cases.
What is an immigration pardon (hardship) letter?
In immigration, a pardon letter usually refers to a letter that supports a request for immigration waivers (I-601 or I-601A). In these waivers, the applicant generally must show that a denial would cause extreme hardship to a qualifying relative who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, such as a spouse or parent.
That is why these letters are also called hardship letters: the relative explains, with specific facts, the financial, medical, emotional, or family impact they would face. Letters from doctors, employers, or therapists can support those facts. A waiver is a complex case, so it is best to prepare these letters with an immigration attorney.
What is an I-130 approval notice?
It is the Form I-797 (Notice of Action) that USCIS sends when it approves a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. It confirms that the family relationship was approved, but it does not give the relative a green card or permission to live or work in the United States.
The next step depends on the case: adjustment of status inside the United States, or consular processing through the National Visa Center (NVC). Keep the original with your immigration documents.
Need help with the letters for your case?
At Lorenzo Law Group, we review which letters and statements your case needs and make sure they serve their purpose, in English and Spanish. Contact us for a consultation.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different.
