Short answer: Keep the original video file and record basic context: when and where it was made, who recorded it if known, who or what appears in it, how you received it, and whether you have edited or converted any working copy.
This page provides general information and organization guidance only. It does not decide whether evidence is legally sufficient, tell you what to file, or replace advice from a licensed immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited representative.
Preserve the source file
Do not rely only on a clip posted to social media or a compressed copy sent through a messaging app if you also have the original. Keep the original file unchanged and make separate working copies if you need shorter clips, subtitles, screenshots, or smaller files for review.
Record the original file name, approximate recording date, device or source if known, and the date you received the file. If you do not know one of those details, mark it as unknown rather than guessing.
Describe the context without overstating it
Create a short note explaining what the video appears to show and how you know. Distinguish what you personally witnessed from information someone else told you. If a person in the video is identified, record how you know that person's identity rather than simply labeling the person.
If the file came from a public post, preserve the page address, account name, publication date if shown, and a screenshot of the surrounding post in addition to the downloaded media.
Check filing rules before submitting media
USCIS and EOIR may have specific rules about how supporting material is submitted. EOIR's Policy Manual explains document-format requirements and does not treat ordinary electronic media as a substitute for properly filed supporting documents.
Organization is not the same as a decision to file the video. A representative can review whether a transcript, still images, written description, or another format is appropriate under the current rules.
A practical way to organize this
Use a simple evidence index with columns for date, source, file name, short description, language/translation status, and where the original is stored. Keep uncertain information marked as uncertain. Do not change an original document to make it fit a timeline or another record.
If you are preparing for an attorney meeting, bring the index and the records you already have. You can also use the free Evidence Toolkit to organize a timeline, evidence inventory, missing-evidence list, witness list, and attorney questions.
Check current sources before filing
Agency rules can change, and the rules for USCIS, Immigration Court, and the Board of Immigration Appeals are not identical. Verify the current source that applies to the forum handling the case.
- USCIS: Form I-589 and current instructions
- EOIR Policy Manual: Documents
- Immigration Justice Campaign: Asylum application and supporting evidence
For case-specific questions about relevance, disclosure, authentication, safety, deadlines, or how a document should be presented, use the Legal Help Center or speak with a qualified immigration representative.