I drafted the 10 recommendation letters and asked specialists to sign them. Is that fraud in the EB-1?

No, that is not fraud in itself. It is common practice, including in EB-1 petitions, for the applicant to prepare draft recommendation letters and then send them to the specialists who will sign them. What makes the practice legitimate is how accurately the content reflects the genuine opinion of the signers.

For the letters to be credible, the signatories must exercise due diligence: reviewing, personalizing, and fully approving the text to ensure the facts are accurate and consistent with their professional assessment. If they have full knowledge of what is written and authorize the content, there is no fraud.

The problem arises when there is:

• Deliberate intent to deceive immigration authorities.
• False, fabricated, or exaggerated information.
• A signature from a specialist who does not genuinely agree with the content.

The credibility of the documents is essential, and any indication of manipulation can harm the petition. If you have doubts about the proper procedure, it is worth following USCIS guidance and consulting a specialist to keep everything transparent and compliant.

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.