Christensen Legal, PLLC

3222 W. Overland Rd. Boise, ID 83705

Phone: (208) 995-2919|Fax: (208) 995-2851| Email: chris@christensenlegal.org

General Instructions for Writing a Strong Letter of Support

A letter of support should explain to the reader (the immigration judge, ICE, USCIS, etc.) how you know
the person you are talking about and what you think about the person’s character. There is no set formula
for this; however, what follows are some tips to ensure your letter has the strongest positive impact. You
should talk about what impresses you about the person and why. Then, you should take the time to
include those details in your letter. Please remember that the reader does not know this person at all and it
is our job to make sure the reader knows this person as an individual, not just another person with a case.

The strongest letters provide details on things that you have personally observed of the person and how
your observations are related to your opinion. If you say “she is a good mother” you also should explain
why you believe that. For example: “She is a good mother because I have seen her pick her children up
from school every day and always take the time to ask the teacher about the kids’ day and their progress
at school. In addition, I know that her children are always clean and fed. She takes excellent care of her
children and they are her priority in life.”

Please remember that there is no perfect letter. However, the best letters contain DETAILS! Some things
to consider include:

- When and how did you meet this person?

- What is your relationship with this person? How often do you interact?
- How has this person positively influenced you?
- Is there anything about this person that you think is outstanding that you would want the reader to
know? Please provide examples, with dates and details.
- How does this person appear as a husband/wife/parent?
- What are this person’s priorities in life?
- Is this person valued in the community? Why?
- Is this the kind of person that the United States should want in the country? Why?
- Is the person a stable worker and provider for his family? What is unusually good about his or her
work record? Has this person filed federal income taxes?
- How united is the family?
- If there have been problems in the family that you know about, how has the family overcome
these problems? Medical? Financial? Other?
- Is the person responsible to their family? Financially? Emotionally?
- Does the person volunteer? How often? Where?
- Is the person involved in the school, church, sports? With their kids or alone?
- Are there any unusual things in the family that make this person’s presence necessary? (Health
concerns, the sole provider for the family?).
- If the family all decided to leave with the person (if deported), what would the family sacrifice?
o Job and career opportunities? Educational opportunities?
o Would this cut the family off from having a relationship with other family
members?
- Does the person have many extended family members in the U.S.? Who? Where?
- If this person has had problems with the law, have they turned their life around? Why?
- Anything else you think is important for the reader to know.
 Christensen Legal, PLLC
3222 W. Overland Rd. Boise, ID 83705
Phone: (208) 995-2919|Fax: (208) 995-2851| Email: chris@christensenlegal.org

Special considerations if person has a criminal record.

Are you aware of the person’s criminal record?

(if yes…)
Is your opinion about the person changed knowing about the criminal record? (i.e., are they still
trustworthy, good parents, etc.)
If you still think the person is a good person, please explain why you feel that way.
Has the person been rehabilitated – i.e. do you think the person will commit other criminal acts? Why
not?
Has the person expressed regret or remorse for their crime? How do you know? Describe.
What kind of treatment has the person received? What has changed?

Letter Structure

1. At the beginning: Include the (1) author’s name (2) address (3) phone number (4) if Lawful
permanent resident or U.S. Citizen (4) how you know the person (5) how long you have known
the person.
a. For example: My name is Chris Christensen and I am a US Citizen. I currently live at
2018 Year Lane, Boise, ID 83702. My telephone number is (208) 555-5555. I have
known Maria for over six years. We met when our youngest children were enrolled
together in first grade at Whatever Elementary.”

2. The body of the letter: Discuss the person and what you think of him or her. (See instructions
above). Again, details are the key to making the letter as strong as possible.

3. At the end of letter, above signature: Include the words “I declare under penalty of perjury
that the contents of this letter are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and
belief.”

4. Signature: Include the author’s signature and date.

What to do with the letter

1. Give it to the person you wrote about; or

2. If time is not of the essence, Mail the original to:

Christensen Legal
3222 W Overland Rd.
Boise, ID 83705

*Please include a note indicating who the letter is for (for example, the name of the client or of the legal
assistant working on the case).
 Christensen Legal, PLLC
3222 W. Overland Rd. Boise, ID 83705
Phone: (208) 995-2919|Fax: (208) 995-2851| Email: chris@christensenlegal.org

Thank you very much for your time and interest in helping support this client. Please understand that a
well written and detailed letter can make a difference. Please contact our office if you have any questions
or concerns.