I'm a disabled USC. Questions about sponsorship.

[juststartingout 0]

I'm a disabled USC, although you cannot tell by looking at me. My boyfriend is here on an F1 visa and has been here for a year. We have started discussing the possibility of marriage.

1. We will need a co-sponsor and we have a willing, qualified mutual friend. As the USC, will they ask me specifics about my disability during the interview process? Do they gather that information from Social Security? (I'm on SSDI (insurance...not means-tested...)) I am used to my ADA rights regarding having to talk about my illness, but I realize that this is a special case and I might not have the same rights. I really would like to know what to expect from this.

2. We also have an age difference (20 years...I'm older), which I have read a lot about on these forums. However, we have known eachother for 2 years and have lived together for 8 months. Documentaton of a real relationship is easy and extensive, and we aren't even married yet. We are actually in similar "stages" in life...both have the same undergrad degree...both in graduate school currently. Look the same age...he looks 10 years older...I look 10 years younger. No one even notices us when we are out due to this.

[Anh map 2,098]

Your disability ought not be an issue. Your bf is here legally. You met, built a relationship, and now want to marry. A quite normal scenario. You've got a joint sponsor to satisfy that requirement. And you state that you can show a bona fide relationship.

Things look pretty straight forward.

Best of luck.

[juststartingout 0]

Will I need to go into specifics of my disability with the officer? As I said, I am used to my rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, but I do not know if my rights extend to his situation. Obviously, my boyfriend knows all about me, but I am used to being selective with this personal information.

It also crossed my mind that my illness coupled with the age difference might make the officer question why my boyfriend would want to be with me. (Which is rediculous in our minds, but I can see where an outsider might question it?)

[DandT14 272]

I'm not sure the officer would have any reason to know about your disability. If you're not the sponsor, therefore your source of income isn't mentioned, I can't think of any other form that would require you to state you're on SSDI. Maybe I'm missing something, but I can't think of anything.

I would think that inquiring about your disability could be deemed discrimination - and no one wants to be accused of that. I might be way off, but I can't see an officer risking it.

My guess (and it's only a guess) would be that the age difference would raise more of a red flag than your disability.

Edited May 9, 2012 by SterlingDandT

[juststartingout 0]

I'm not sure the officer would have any reason to know about your disability. If you're not the sponsor, therefore your source of income isn't mentioned, I can't think of any other form that would require you to state you're on SSDI. Maybe I'm missing something, but I can't think of anything.

I would think that inquiring about your disability could be deemed discrimination - and no one wants to be accused of that. I might be way off, but I can't see an officer risking it.

My guess (and it's only a guess) would be that the age difference would raise more of a red flag than your disability.

My understanding is that I must submit a sponsorship form even if I am not financially qualified. I will have to list sources of income and provide a tax return. And, I agree that the age difference is a potential red flag on paper, but we are convinced that when the officer sees us together, their flag will disappear. It has with all of our friends and family who know our ages and see the way we interact and "fit". People who don't know our ages have assumed we are maybe 3 years apart based on behavior and appearance (in other words, they can't tell...).

Edited May 9, 2012 by juststartingout

[DandT14 272]

Maybe you're right, I sponsored my husband so I had to submit my tax return anyway.

Even so, questioning someone about a disability is dangerous territory. I realize that immigration officers must have more freedom (and less fear of getting sued) than the rest of us, but I would think they'd find other things to question you on instead.

To be clear, in saying that my guess is that your age difference would raise a red flag, I wasn't trying to say that I personally thought it was a problem. Just an area that I would expect you to be questioned on.

I'm 9 years older than my husband, and fully expect it's going to be questioned.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

What country is he from? How did you meet originally? It is a common scam, from some parts of the world, to woo an older woman for marriage for a Greencard, then leave when the immigration benefits are received.

[juststartingout 0]

What country is he from? How did you meet originally? It is a common scam, from some parts of the world, to woo an older woman for marriage for a Greencard, then leave when the immigration benefits are received.

He is from Jordan. We met because I know his family. I used to date a man (the man i dated is a us resident) who was best friends with his brother. His brother introduced us. I've known the brother for about 5 years and my boyfriend for about 2. I've been to his country a few times. The first time we met in person, he actually had a different girlfriend (local) and obviously we were just friends. I've been to his family's home multiple times and we have many mutual friends in his home city. I know you mean well, but I'm not naive nor desperate in the least and this relationship developed unexpectedly for both of us. He's here legally for education and chose my city due to the relationship with his family. They felt comfortable with him coming to a place where he knew someone.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

I hope you haven't assumed that your disability income wouldn't count towards his sponsorship.

If it is sufficient to put you as a couple over 125 percent of the US Poverty Guideline, then you don't need a joint sponsor.

[juststartingout 0]

I have joint custody of two minor children. Thus, the household size is 4, and even with the child support added to the disability, it is still technically under poverty. (Ah, the life of a student...)

I am in graduate school for two more years. Treatment for my disability has improved drastically over the past decade, and my doctor expects I will be fit for work by the time I graduate. I attend a top-10 business school (MBA) where the average salary after graduation will definitely put money issues firmly in the past. Also, he has an undergraduate degree and is pursuing graduate studies also. His income should be respectable, too. But, for now, it is what it is.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

I have joint custody of two minor children. Thus, the household size is 4, and even with the child support added to the disability, it is still technically under poverty. (Ah, the life of a student...)

I am in graduate school for two more years. Treatment for my disability has improved drastically over the past decade, and my doctor expects I will be fit for work by the time I graduate. I attend a top-10 business school (MBA) where the average salary after graduation will definitely put money issues firmly in the past. Also, he has an undergraduate degree and is pursuing graduate studies also. His income should be respectable, too. But, for now, it is what it is.

Ah I see.

Just didn't want you to think that your disability income wasn't a qualifying asset.

Sounds like a promising future for you. I wish you the best.

[wine 1]

Maybe you're right, I sponsored my husband so I had to submit my tax return anyway.

Even so, questioning someone about a disability is dangerous territory. I realize that immigration officers must have more freedom (and less fear of getting sued) than the rest of us, but I would think they'd find other things to question you on instead.

To be clear, in saying that my guess is that your age difference would raise a red flag, I wasn't trying to say that I personally thought it was a problem. Just an area that I would expect you to be questioned on.

I'm 9 years older than my husband, and fully expect it's going to be questioned.

can u share what was asked about the age difference, if u may? tnx

[Boiler 43,401]

Good that you do not have to go through Consular Processing.

[DandT14 272]

can u share what was asked about the age difference, if u may? tnx

Sorry, didn't mean to imply that I had already been questioned. We haven't gone to our interview yet. I just know that it is considered a red flag and I'm prepared to have it questioned.

[juststartingout 0]

Good that you do not have to go through Consular Processing.

You think we would be denied Consular Processing?