Am I being stupid?

[Tim/Mav 305]

I would assume you know more about your fiancee than "a man that claims to know the immigration laws." His knowledge of immigration law probably is greater than his knowledge of your fiancee, unless he knows her personally. I would think you determined the motivation of your fiancee before you asked her to marry you, if you had any doubts you would've had them long before your conversation with that guy.

You can not change her motivation (if it is not genuine) nor can you avoid the I-864. Let your doubt be based on your experience and not that planted by others.

This is true.

Look at 90% of the replies. The 864 Form was completed by all of them and could'nt wait to do it.

If you listen to friends and even sometimes family and get persuaded to turn on your Finacee. Then call it quits now.

[Julie y Pat 67]

People throw the 10 year number around because thats how long it takes to be credited with 40 quarters of work. It can take much longer than that.

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Today I was speaking with a man that claims to know the immigration laws. He has put doubts in my mind as the motivation of my Colombian Fiance. He told me that I am legally responsible for her for 10 years after she arrives here in the US under the K-1 visa and we marry. Even if we divorce.

If anyone can claim to "know immigration laws", that would be attorneys, and if you have followed VJ for some time, you would've already found that many of them don't know them as well as they claim.

The collective knowledge in VJ is at least significantly comparable to a group of attorneys, plus, everyone here has been there, done that and got the t-shirt and can present much more anecdotal and facts than any single or group of attorneys can. VJ is not substitute for attorneys though; some cases are quite complex and is best to have one at your side.

In reading the posts, you will see that yes, you will have an obligation if <your favorite bad scenario here>. And while that obligation is to be taken seriously, I had not seen anyone here comment on what the beneficiary is bringing to the table: leaving her/his country and family to start over because you asked; if you would get sick, he/she would be there; he/she will be contributing financially and emotionally to your well being...I can go on and on.

And Yes, fraud happens, there are people who can play you or me; but that is not so different than finding your mate in the US and still get taken to the cleaners -called gold diggers-

Ultimately it is your decision. You can play it safe or you can take a 'calculated' risk. The person that advised you might have first hand knowledge of a situation where things went South for the petitioner. But, it's just not enough to make a generalization to all fiance/fiancee, not even from same country or city.

Good luck

[Operator 1,927]

Today I was speaking with a man that claims to know the immigration laws. He has put doubts in my mind as the motivation of my Colombian Fiance. He told me that I am legally responsible for her for 10 years after she arrives here in the US under the K-1 visa and we marry. Even if we divorce.

RichB there has been a lot of solid information given to you here regarding your financial responsibilities based on the I-864. But your question is "Am I being stupid?" That's a question only you can answer. Do you not want to be responsible for the woman you are planning to marry? Do you not want to support her? Why was "a man" so effective in placing this doubt in your mind? Did he have something to gain or was the doubt already there?

I'm all for entering a situation with your eyes open but I don't think your issue is the I-864.

[Leatherneck 693]

This is true.

Look at 90% of the replies. The 864 Form was completed by all of them and could'nt wait to do it.

If you listen to friends and even sometimes family and get persuaded to turn on your Finacee. Then call it quits now.

I agree, people on the outside looking in on this process will usually have 'something' to say, and 99.99% of the time, it is not of a positive nature. People will rain on your parade as you pursue this course.

There is no way for a man to avoid being on the hook financially for his wife/family. If the I-864 does not get you with regards to a foreign spouse, good ole family law court with regards to an American based spouse will get you.

[Anh map 2,098]

Does the sponsor get notice from USCIS when the terms of the I-864 expire? Say an LPR who is credited with 40 quarters, but never acquires citizenship, I guess it doesn't matter if they're still married to the sponsor or not.

No, there is no notice given when your obligation ends/expires.