Helping You Create a Winning Personal Statement
As an immigration lawyer, I help clients submit well-prepared applications to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the U.S. Immigration Court. One crucial part of certain applications is the personal statement, where clients share thier stories. People also call it an affidavit or declaration.
What should a Personal Statement Include?
The content of a personal statement depends on the type of immigration relief you seek. For example, if you apply for asylum because of past persecution, you must describe the harm you endured or explain why you fear future harm if forced to return home. In this case, your personal statement outlines the events that led to the persecution and details potential risks ahead.
In contrast, if you seek permanent residency through marriage to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you will focus on your relationship. Your personal statement explains how you met, how your relationship developed, and when you decided to marry. The goal is to show that your marriage is genuine, not just for legal status.
You also need personal statements if you are a victim of domestic violence applying for permanent residency or a crime victim seeking U Visa status. Additionally, if you switch from one visa category to another, like moving from an F-1 student visa to a B-2 tourist visa, a personal statement may be required. Depending on your case, your personal statement will explain why your application should be approved.
How I Can Help You Write a Winning Personal Statement
As your lawyer, I guide you in writing a winning personal statement. I review your draft, help you edit and refine it, and highlight the most important points. I make sure that your statement has enough details to meet immigration law requirements. Before your interview or hearing, we will practice together, ensuring that your testimoney matches your written statement.
Post provided by: Attorney Charles Conroy
