Advisory for Faculty: Unsolicited Requests for National Interest Waiver (NIW) Recommendation Letters
ISSS has recently been made aware that some Penn faculty members are receiving unsolicited emails from individuals overseas requesting letters of recommendation to support their National Interest Waiver (NIW) permanent residence petitions. These requests often come from people with whom the faculty member has no prior professional connection.
We want to provide clear guidance, as these requests carry significant academic, ethical, and immigration-related implications.
What Is an NIW Letter?
A National Interest Waiver (NIW) petition allows certain individuals to apply for U.S. permanent residence without a specific employer sponsor if they can demonstrate that their work is in the national interest.
Letters of recommendation are a critical component of these petitions.
They are meant to be written by experts who can credibly speak to:
- the applicant’s accomplishments
- the significance of their work
- the national importance of their contributions
These letters are legal documents used in an immigration petition reviewed by USCIS. Accuracy, credibility, and authenticity are essential.
Why Faculty Should Not Respond to Unsolicited Requests
ISSS strongly advises faculty not to write NIW recommendation letters for individuals they do not personally know and have not professionally evaluated. Writing such a letter for a stranger can pose risks for the author.
Professional and Ethical Risks
- You may be endorsing work you cannot verify
- Your academic reputation and credibility may be used inappropriately
- Such letters undermine established norms of professional recommendation.
Immigration and Legal Risks
- Your letter becomes part of a binding legal filing
- USCIS may view unsupported or exaggerated claims as misleading
- Submitting a letter without a genuine basis of knowledge may have consequences for both the petitioner and the recommender
How to Handle These Requests
If you receive an unsolicited request from someone you do not know, we recommend that you:
- Do not agree to write the letter
- Do not engage in back-and-forth communication
- Reply briefly and clearly, if you choose:
“I do not write NIW recommendation letters for individuals with whom I do not have an established professional relationship.” - Report any unusual patterns (e.g., repeated emails, mass solicitations) to ISSS
Best Practices for Faculty
You may consider writing NIW letters only when:
- You have a direct professional relationship with the individual
- You are familiar with the quality and significance of their work, and
- You feel confident assessing their impact in your field.
If you are unsure, ISSS is here to advise.
Questions or Concerns?
ISSS is available to support faculty who encounter unusual or concerning immigration-related requests. Please contact Dr. Rudie Altamirano, Executive Director with any questions.