Obtaining Records for AWA Matters

Pulling records can be pretty straightforward once you know the ropes. It takes time and

regular follow up.

Why does USCIS want to see the records?

The obvious answer is that USCIS wants to review them. However, the answer goes a bit

deeper. USCIS wants to understand the criminal records in detail and from the point of

view of the victim, the police, and the prosecutor. It wants to hear what the judge or

probation officer had to say about whatever incident arose.

As for treatment records, USCIS wants to learn in detail what you confessed to and

whether the treatments were effective. What topics were covered, how many sessions,

and for how long? Was it group or individual counseling, etc.? We can talk about what is in

the records and how to position your case. But, the first step is to get the records so that

all the details are on the table for consideration.

Who pulls my records?

1. You, the Client: The petitioner was subject to court proceedings and would be

more familiar with criminal records at a particular courthouse than the

immigration attorney. It helps for you to make the first effort to try and pull

records according to instructions below. Some clients do not have the time or

inclination to pull their own records. But, your effort to be involved produces

the best results. Let us know if you will not or cannot help pull your own

records.

2. Criminal Defense Attorney: Sometimes, you can reach out to your criminal

defense attorney or a different one who can help you pull records in a

particular location. Make contact and see what you can get. You are entitled to

your case file within applicable bar association guidelines. Let us know if you

have difficulties.

3. Our Law Firm: We can help as needed. However, consider that criminal records

come from all over the world and the 50 states. We are a federal immigration

law firm who can assist with federal immigration law in all states. Attorneys are

not licensed to practice state law in all states. As such, we’re unfamiliar with

particulars of how records are kept in the various court houses around the

country or overseas. Courthouses keep records in various formats. It’s not

always easy to read them. If we are to help, we can play a good supporting role

and can likely be effective. It saves you money if you are able to work

independently. The ultimate obligation to pull records remains with the client.

4. Court Runners: There often are companies near the courthouse or treatment

centers where you underwent proceedings. Those companies can help obtain

records for you. Court runners typically only help obtain court records, no

other types of records. But, you can also search online for “Attorney

Assistance Service” or “Process Server.” See what comes up in the area where

you need records pulled. We can also try to help locate a suitable service as

needed. Sometimes, these services will only work with attorneys. Try calling

one or more and ask whether they are available to work directly with you. If

you find a good one and they will only work with an attorney, let us know.

What records should be pulled?

For each type of record, request a complete copy of your file.

1. Court records

2. Police records

3. Probation records

4. Treatment records (related to your case)

5. Sex Offender Registration records

Note 1: It’s best to try and pull records directly from the courthouse, police department,

or probation department first. If you have trouble obtaining court, police, and/or

probation records, the state Department of Corrections will sometimes have a

combination of all 3.

Note 2: Sex offender registration records normally do not contain the following:

● Violation(s) of registration requirements and why

● Removal from Sex Offender Registration Board

● Evidence of rehabilitation

Court records would likely have these.

Note 3: The most important records are any that relate to the AWA offense or any felonies.

The second most important offenses are any involving harm, such as assault or domestic

violence. Records for other minor offenses such as drunk driving should be obtained, but

perhaps just enough to learn what the case was about and the outcome. Records for arrests

that do not result in a conviction should be pulled, sufficient to show the allegations and

dismissals.

Note 4: Some believe that obtaining an expungement will avoid the need to pull criminal

records for immigration purposes, but it doesn’t. It’s often difficult to obtain criminal

records that have been expunged. The expungement is always good. However, please be

sure to obtain a complete copy of all criminal records for immigration purposes, whether

or not expunged.

What types of records are we talking about?

Certified or Official Records: USCIS asks for certified or official records. “Official" is not

defined, but generally means a response provided by an agency on letterhead, or tracking

your efforts and responses from that agency. For example, if an agency requests that you

submit an email inquiry, save your email communications along with the records. Although

USCIS typically requests “certified” records, we’ve not yet had a case denied when we

submit copies that are not certified. But, that doesn’t mean your case will not be the first to

be denied for that reason. Do the best you can because some cases may end up in court.

Tip: Get certified copies of records if you can afford it, but don’t stress too much if the

cost seems unreasonable and you don’t want to do it. Of course, if you sense that a

particular document is important and can afford to get that one certified, then do it. An

example would be your plea, which can include the facts upon which you pled.

Unavailable Records: Records are considered unavailable when there is a diligent search

for them that fails. The person who attempts to obtain certain records (yourself, attorney,

a court runner, etc.) should provide a sworn affidavit summarizing the attempts.

Sealed Records: Sealed records are not necessarily unavailable. For example, court

records that involve a minor victim are often sealed. It helps to learn what it takes to

unseal them. Sealed records that cannot be obtained for US immigration purposes are

“unavailable.” We need to show that the sealed records cannot reasonably be unsealed

and obtained for this case.

Police Records:

Tip: Pull a complete copy of your police records, also known as police reports.

These can usually be pulled directly from the police department where the offense

occurred. If one cannot be obtained, please ask for a statement from the department

clearly addressing the crime, and confirming records are unavailable.

Court Records:

Tip: Pull a complete, plain copy of your court records. You can decide if some

documents should be certified. Specifically, USCIS wants the following court records:

● Indictment filed in court against you;

● Any amended indictment, modifying the charges;

● Any plea struck;

● Any conviction by trial, judge or jury;

o If a conviction is after trial, try to get the jury instructions and findings by the

judge or jury.

● Any presentence report by probation;

● Your criminal sentence, including sentencing terms;

● Probation or parole report that you successfully completed your sentence;

● Evidence of rehabilitation. Statements from judges or probation officers about your

rehabilitation are extremely helpful. An expungement is helpful; and

● Any evidence of dismissal or finding of non-guilt.

For some records, you may need to contact the probation or parole office as noted below.

Treatment Provider Records:

Tip: Pull a complete copy of your treatment records. More specifically, USCIS wants the

records indicating successful completion of counseling or rehabilitation programs.

Such records may include documentation showing:

● The beginning and ending dates of the petitioner’s treatment program

● The total number of hours and sessions attended

● An explanation for any failure to attend or participate in particular sessions

● The structure of sessions

● The goals/ objectives of the program/ plan

● The methods used to achieve the goals of the program and USC's treatment plan

● A description of progress

● Assessments of rehabilitative status at the beginning, during, and at the end of the

treatment program

Try to obtain a letter from the treatment provider outlining the above points, and/or any

records in support.

SORB Registration Records:

Complete copy of all State Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) forms. Registration records

means “registration forms.” In other words, you want to collect a complete copy of all the

registration forms you have submitted to all police departments or registration

departments in the past. These forms were likely initialed by you and contain your signature

and/or fingerprint marking. You should pull forms from all locations you’ve ever registered.

Probation/ Parole Records:

Discharge letter from probation or parole. Typically, it’s a single document. It’s either in

your court records, with the parole or probation office or, as a last resort, with the state

Department of Corrections office. See also the Court Records section above.

Rehabilitation:

Evidence that you are rehabilitated, which can include:

● Expungements;

● Comments from judges, probation/parole, or treatment providers; and

● Release from registration or from public display.

Tip: Pulling records for an AWA matter can be more work for some than others. So, focus

on easy things first and make a to-do list for yourself.

Let me know if you have questions or need assistance with AWA processing. We can set up

a phone appointment.

Allan

888.483.0311 ● 888 Prospect Street, Suite 200, La Jolla, Ca 92037 ● www.asl-lawfirm.com