Sponsor?

[Russell2005 0]

My sister married a man who lives in India. Long story... She has been trying to get him into the US for nearly a year I think. They are nearing the end of this process. She recently contacted me to be a sponsor. My question is...

1. What are the responsibilities of a sponsor?

2. How long am I to be responsible?

3. What is the worst case scenario I could face? (audits ext. ?)

I want to help them. But, I don't want to get myself in any sort of jam with immigration and homeland security. What concerns are appropriate and should be addressed?

[hamigirl710 112]

My sister married a man who lives in India. Long story... She has been trying to get him into the US for nearly a year I think. They are nearing the end of this process. She recently contacted me to be a sponsor. My question is...

1. What are the responsibilities of a sponsor?

2. How long am I to be responsible?

3. What is the worst case scenario I could face? (audits ext. ?)

I want to help them. But, I don't want to get myself in any sort of jam with immigration and homeland security. What concerns are appropriate and should be addressed?

I am enclosing a link to hopefully answer your question. http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=720b0a5659083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=720b0a5659083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

[Russell2005 0]

Wow! Thanks. Those last few paragraphs are pretty scary. Thanks

[hamigirl710 112]

you are welcome and best of luck with whatever you decide!

[aaron2020 11,651]

My sister married a man who lives in India. Long story... She has been trying to get him into the US for nearly a year I think. They are nearing the end of this process. She recently contacted me to be a sponsor. My question is...

1. What are the responsibilities of a sponsor?

2. How long am I to be responsible?

3. What is the worst case scenario I could face? (audits ext. ?)

I want to help them. But, I don't want to get myself in any sort of jam with immigration and homeland security. What concerns are appropriate and should be addressed?

Here are the short answers.

1. To reimburse the US government for any forbidden benefits that the beneficiary may receive. Medicaid is a forbidden benefit. If he gets $100,000 in Medicaid, then his wife as the petitioner would primarily be responsible for reimbursing the government. You would be secondarily responsible.

2. There are several conditions upon which your I-864 obligations would end. The I-864 obligation ends if he stops being an LPR, he has 40 quarters of work credit, he becomes a US citizen, he dies, or you die. However, if he does not work and does not become a US citizen, you could be responsible for a very long time. It could be until you die.

3. Worst case scenario - he uses a forbidden benefit. The US government pays $100,000. Since you and your sister accepts financial responsibility to bring him over, the US government could sue you for the entire $100,000.

Google "I-864 worst case scenario" to read up on this.

P.S. Divorce does not end the I-864 obligation. If he divorces your sister, you are still responsible.

Edited September 10, 2012 by aaron2020