Income over Poverty Line but RFE for Joint Sponsor??

[stellar7225 0]

This may end up being more of a rant than asking for advice. We just got a RFE (or RFI, I suppose) asking for a joint sponsor or proof of assets. My income is well above the poverty line, but I just started work last summer. The income I made since starting my job (for half a year, basically) is STILL over the poverty line. Previously, I was living with my husband in his country working abroad so, even though I still submitted 3 years of tax returns, they reflect very little US income.

I have someone I can ask to be my joint sponsor but I am so confused...why is this happening? I searched for information for HOURS to be sure that current income over poverty line=it's ok that past tax returns are not over the poverty line. Is this not the case? Why do they even bother asking for current household/individual income if they are going to reject you based on previous tax returns? Wouldn't current income and a job contract be better than only tax returns?? GRRRRRR!!

[Transborderwife 4,666]

It's normal for a short term good income. Find a joint sponsor. Its responsible on their part

Edited March 16, 2016 by Transborderwife

[stellar7225 0]

Responsible? In what way? Proving you have 19K of income for 2 people doesn't sound responsible to me at all.

I have income and a contract. There is nothing short term about my work.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Responsible? In what way? Proving you have 19K of income for 2 people doesn't sound responsible to me at all.

I have income and a contract. There is nothing short term about my work.

You have only had the income short term. Just accept it.

[Anh map 2,098]

A contract? So you are self employed or a wage/salary earner?

[stellar7225 0]

I'm a teacher. I have a contract from the school district.

It's not that I don't "accept it", I just don't understand it. There doesn't seem to be any real rationale. I called NVC and they just kept saying they "couldn't comment". Such a waste of time.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

I am self employed and had an RFE also but made over the limit. The RFE mentioned assets and joint sponsor more as a general option

but I chose to submit more evidence and that was accepted.

I submitted :

Tax transcripts

Business ledger projected income

Letter explaining why I project that much

Professional business license

I don't know if you are self employed or a contractor or an employee but if you clarify that you would get better advice.

List what items you submitted and see if you could just add more like I did.
If you are employed then perhaps you did not think of an important piece of evidence, so be more specific of what you already have.

* Just saw your post that you are a teacher but what exactly did you submit ?

Edited March 16, 2016 by Ebunoluwa

[stellar7225 0]

I'm a teacher. I submitted past 3 years tax returns (with only summer part-time work income...I was teaching in Spain and earning euros), all pay stubs up through time of submission (mid-January), a copy of my contract and a letter from my employer stating that I was an employee in good standing. I also submitted a letter explaining that I did have income that was earned abroad and showing my bank statements of earned income. I don't think I'm going to be able to add anything else....

Again, I get that I "can't win" here against the government but I just can't wrap my head around this. I think it's ridiculous that someone with a steady job that meets income requirements could be forced to use a joint sponsor. I will do it but I'm mortified to ask my family for this kind of help.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

I'm a teacher. I submitted past 3 years tax returns (with only summer part-time work income...I was teaching in Spain and earning euros), all pay stubs up through time of submission (mid-January), a copy of my contract and a letter from my employer stating that I was an employee in good standing. I also submitted a letter explaining that I did have income that was earned abroad and showing my bank statements of earned income. I don't think I'm going to be able to add anything else....

Again, I get that I "can't win" here against the government but I just can't wrap my head around this. I think it's ridiculous that someone with a steady job that meets income requirements could be forced to use a joint sponsor. I will do it but I'm mortified to ask my family for this kind of help.

I understand, I was too and thank God it worked out for me.

Did you submit an official tax transcript yet for 2015 ? I don't know what else to add. Income poverty guidelines go up every March, did you

check the new guidelines ? Not by much but it's an increase.

Did you employer state that you will be with them long term ?

[stellar7225 0]

I will check into the 2015 tax transcript. We filed in January and I hadn't done my taxes yet. I was worried because the RFE states to either have a joint sponsor or use assets...it didn't leave room for me re-proving my ability to sponsor.

Thank you for your answers. I know what I have to do and appreciate your responses. I think I really just needed a place to get some sympathy from others who wish they could shout a big #### you to USCIS once in awhile!!

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

You can try like I did to send more evidence ( transcript 2015, another employer letter stating long term employment and a letter stating you do

exceed the new 2016 poverty guidelines etc.) but you run the risk of them denying without a second RFE.

It is a gamble.

I wish you the best. Update here if you are successful with additional evidence or whatever you decide.

[jwcir12016 32]

This may end up being more of a rant than asking for advice. We just got a RFE (or RFI, I suppose) asking for a joint sponsor or proof of assets. My income is well above the poverty line, but I just started work last summer. The income I made since starting my job (for half a year, basically) is STILL over the poverty line. Previously, I was living with my husband in his country working abroad so, even though I still submitted 3 years of tax returns, they reflect very little US income.

I have someone I can ask to be my joint sponsor but I am so confused...why is this happening? I searched for information for HOURS to be sure that current income over poverty line=it's ok that past tax returns are not over the poverty line. Is this not the case? Why do they even bother asking for current household/individual income if they are going to reject you based on previous tax returns? Wouldn't current income and a job contract be better than only tax returns?? GRRRRRR!!

I went through the same thing, I lived in my spouse's country for awhile and then came back and got a great job well over the poverty line. However, because of the financial instability in 3 years of tax transcripts (I wasn't making much living overseas) I made sure I got a joint sponsor and proceeded without any problems. I also did the same as you, I submitted my contract with my salary listed. It isn't a personal attack, they want to see stability and that you are able to support your spouse. It is very standard practice on their part. Don't waste time getting angry, get that joint sponsor's i-864 in so that you can continue moving forward.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

I went through the same thing, I lived in my spouse's country for awhile and then came back and got a great job well over the poverty line. However, because of the financial instability in 3 years of tax transcripts (I wasn't making much living overseas) I made sure I got a joint sponsor and proceeded without any problems. I also did the same as you, I submitted my contract with my salary listed. It isn't a personal attack, they want to see stability and that you are able to support your spouse. It is very standard practice on their part. Don't waste time getting angry, get that joint sponsor's i-864 in so that you can continue moving forward.

Exactly

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

just consider yourself forunate that is was not denied / USCIS has a set of rules to follow and your employment should be continuous (at the same job / not necessarily for the same company) for a year. Just be glad it wasn't a 4 page RFE like we got . Some of the things i had to prove was "when i told my parents i would marry him", furnish death certificates for both our dads, how i met and paid for dating site.

I tried to copy and paste my RFE here but it is too big

To encourage you, we finally won our visa but i felt like i was in a fight with immigration and unfair, yes, it is unfair as illegals are treated better than going thru this long and sometimes expensive processs and i am american born and breed. this is a real rant

[Stevephoto 224]

This might sound naive, but would an infopass help where you could show a real live person your contract and pay stubs? Just a thought. Good Luck...