Community Ties and Adjustment of Status
Evidence of community ties is a critical factor when USCIS decides whether to adjust status. Under the current administration, adjustment of status is an “act of grace” and not the norm. USCIS officials will first determine if an applicant meets the minimum requirements, but they do not stop there. Then the officer must weigh positive factors in favor of adjustment of status against negative ones.
To be successful, applicants should carefully strategize how to emphasize positive factors and strengthen the application as a whole. Below, we highlight what qualifies as “community ties” to emphasize in an application, and we invite you to contact The Law Office of Jason M. Sullivan, PLLC, to begin strategic immigration planning.
Proving Connection to the Community
Community ties help show that a person has a meaningful connection to the United States. In short, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services wants to see proof that an applicant is a contributing member of society, and deep community ties can serve as positive factors when analyzing the totality of the circumstances.
Here are some examples of what we can emphasize in an application:
Volunteer Work
Many people volunteer at various community organizations, including:
- Schools
- Civic groups
- Municipal events
- Museums or libraries
- Homeless shelters
- Domestic violence shelters
USCIS wants to see volunteer activity above and beyond what a judge might have imposed as part of a sentence for a criminal offense. Ideally, you will have a solid history of volunteer work. Consistent participation in one volunteer organization is preferable to occasional participation. Meaningful volunteer work in your community is one way to establish community ties.
Participation in Religious Organizations
Religious organizations are the backbone of many communities. We can submit proof of volunteer work for a religious institution. For example, you might teach Sunday school, serve as an “elder” in your congregation, or serve on committees.
USCIS officials might not be intimately familiar with your faith tradition, so ample documentation is necessary to explain your ties to your religious community. We can procure letters from leaders, like a rabbi or minister.
Municipal or Local Committees
Many cities and towns have committees which perform vital work for the community. You could be involved in planning events, serving on a business development committee, or even serving as an elected official in your community. There are usually many opportunities for concerned members of the community to get involved.
Having a mayor or Board member write a letter of support is a great way to prove community ties. Let’s brainstorm on who to ask for a recommendation.
Sports or Youth Coach
Not all community involvement is volunteer. Service as a youth sports coach also shows community involvement. As an example, you might coach a school baseball or soccer team.
Strategic Immigration Planning: Be Proactive & Start Early
Applicants should be proactive in documenting their community involvement. That means keeping detailed records of volunteer activities and starting early with the process of requesting letters of recommendation. The more specific and detailed the evidence, the more persuasive it may be.
Call The Law Office of Jason M. Sullivan to talk with a Portsmouth, New Hampshire or Miami, Florida immigration lawyer today. Our firm has distinguished ourselves with our immigration problem solving.