Beyond the Letter

Beyond the Letter is an independent documentary testimony initiative focused on South African families who received a U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) Notice of Ineligibility for Continued Processing for Resettlement (LOI). It documents each verified case as a family’s own account, combining testimony with letters, communications and other records labelled by source. An independent editorial team examines available evidence and reports what it can and cannot confirm; the initiative does not claim to authenticate official documents or provide legal advice.

Families can register privately, share testimony in writing or by voice, and choose how it may be used. Featured adults review and separately approve their accounts before publication. Families may also opt for collective representation through a Representative Council, distinct from the editorial team. The initiative describes safeguards including redaction of case and A-numbers, restricted access to legal names, and generalisation of identifying details. It does not guarantee anonymity or any immigration outcome, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by U.S. government agencies.