How do you cite news sites that no longer exist (broken links)?

When a news article you want to use as evidence has gone offline, the solution is to document the source as completely as possible and, whenever feasible, retrieve an archived version. In the EB-1, what matters is that the reference is clear, precise, and verifiable, even if the original link no longer works.

Start by recording all bibliographic details of the article:

• The article title and author, when available.
• The name of the news outlet and the publication date.
• The original URL and the date on which you accessed the content.

Next, try to retrieve the page through an archiving service, such as the Internet Archive (the Wayback Machine). If a preserved copy exists, include the archived version’s address in your citation: that way, even with the site offline, the reviewer can still access the content.

If no archived version is available, make it clear in the citation that the content is no longer accessible, while keeping all other source details. This transparency preserves the credibility of your file. If you are unsure how to present the documentation, confirm the guidelines with USCIS or a specialist.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.