Letter to Immigration Judge, Personal Statement Example

I am J.M. I came to the U.S. from Kenya in September, 1999 to attend my cousin’s wedding. Before I could return home, I got news that my home in Kenya has been burned down along with all the belongings. This was the act of a sectarian group called Mungiki which is a politico-religious group and has been banned in Kenya due to their criminal activities. They were pressuring my family to join them but my family refused. As an act of revenge, they burned down the house. I feared for my life and delayed my return. I continued to monitor the situation but things didn’t improve and in doing so, I overstayed my visa in the U.S. The situation is still grim back home and I will be putting my personal safety at risk by returning home even after all these years.

Since my time in the U.S, I have been a model citizen and has impressed everyone with whom I have had the opportunity to interact. I believe in being a responsible and an ethical member of the society and despite my status, I have regularly paid taxes on my earnings. I work in a hospital and have built great reputation with all the patients. They love me because they feel I care for them and do my job to the best of my abilities. They tell me I make their stay in the hospital comfortable and they will always want me to take care of them if they ever have to return. Beside my job, I also started school and will be graduating next year in May 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

I am also actively involved in non-profit organizations such as Feed the Child, St. Judy Cancer Center, and Habitat for Humanity. I donate both my time and money to these organizations because I admire the good work they do and the difference they make in the society. I now have two children who are three and six years old and they are both American citizens. Therefore, I kindly request you to grant me asylum in the U.S. By returning home, I will not only be putting my personal safety at risk but it will also create undue hardship on my children who will be left without the love and support of a dad. My life in the U.S has been of a model citizen and I have left positive impact on everyone I have met here. I do not only feel safe in this country but believe that I can contribute towards the overall wellbeing of the society.