Sm1smom
Super Moderator
I am glad that this issue was brought up because I was starting to regret that I didn't include any cover letter either. Without a cover letter explaining this is a DV based submission, I'm afraid they'll just toss it into the pile with the all other I-485s. So anybody who's about to submit their application, it would be wise to put a cover letter with CAPS that this is a dv lottery application. The order of documents in my case was the G-something form for e-mail/text, I-485, DV lottery letter, the DV payment receipt (original ), and the rest in no particular order.
I actually do not believe that a DV I-485 package without a cover note gets dump with all other I-485 packages, and thereby gets unnecessarily delayed.
My lawyer and I had an amusing back and forth reg. this. I wanted to put in a cover letter, he said that the packages would be reviewed by contractors and they didn't really care to read that. In the end, we went with his and my case went as fast as it could.
I'm of the same opinion with your lawyer. The guys responsible for sorting and going through all the I-485 packages at the Chicago Lockbox are not much different from those level one officers you get to speak with when you call USCIS (those guys have no clue about the fiscal year's effect on DV processing).
Not having a cover letter with my package did not cause any delay for me based on the timing comparison I've done with others. But then, I must admit, the first item in the package I sent in was my DV Selectee Notification Letter, followed by the KCC confirmation email before the I-485 form itself (and someone might argue displaying those items prominently guided the guys sorting through the package at the Chicago Lockbox).
Like I said before, for those yet to send in their package (or getting ready to do so), including a cover letter (and a list of your supporting documents, if you so wish) is a personal choice.