Form I864; Household combination or Joint Sponsor?

[sahilbanga 2]

Hello All,

I would love your advice on my current situation if you have the time. 

My current annual income is $43,000. I have been there for only two months but I have an employment letter and pay-stubs to prove it. However, the income from my 2018 tax return is a measly $4300 due to a failed business venture. Now my wife's interview is in Mumbai, India and I have read past answers mentioning that they are notoriously picky about public benefits. 

 

Due to my horrible 2018 tax return, I believe I will have to supplement my sponsorship. I have two options and that's why I needed advice. 

 

Option 1, is including my parents and sister with three additional form I-864As. My father earns $30,000, my mother earns $17,000, and my sister earns $22,000. The combination of our four incomes puts us well above the requirements. In addition, my parents' home is paid off which we can list as an asset. This option is admittedly, an overkill. Which is fine with me, because I don't want the CO to have a single doubt about our ability to support my wife when she gets here. 

 

Option 2, is filing a single joint sponsor, my uncle, who earns $146,000 and has no dependents. This option seems to fulfill the requirements and seems cleaner and easier to understand for the CO. Instead of four forms like in option 1, he will only have to sort through two. 

 

My objective is to breeze through the interview in Mumbai. What do you suggest? Which option gives me the strongest, most clear cut case? Or should I consider submitting everything I have (both option 1 and 2)? 

 

For my advisers, I really appreciate your time to help me out. 

[pushbrk 12,105]

No brainer answer is option 2.  Option 1 is a lot of trouble and less likely to work.

[sahilbanga 2]

6 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

No brainer answer is option 2.  Option 1 is a lot of trouble and less likely to work.

Thanks. The reason I asked was because I wasn't sure if one option had more weight over the other in the eyes of the Consular Officer/Interviewing Officer... Meaning, is a direct relative, household member a more powerful form of a support than an uncle?

 

I don't want the CO to form any opinions that go against my case. Can he/she deny my case even if I have fulfilled all the requirements as allowed in the instructions, simply because he/she has "adjudicated" solely based on his/her judgement? A lot of people have said, "everything is up to the CO", so I'm a little worried about any potential bias or judgement not based on facts. 

 

P.S If someone accuses me of overthinking, I would plead guilty. 

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

Overthinking! 

Pushbrk is correct.  Mumbai COs have of late been scrutinizing sponsor financials. 

 

And why an Australian flag on the timeline? 

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

[sahilbanga 2]

On 5/29/2019 at 10:07 AM, WeGuyGal said:

Overthinking! 

Pushbrk is correct.  Mumbai COs have of late been scrutinizing sponsor financials. 

 

And why an Australian flag on the timeline? 

I'm a naturalized US Citizen from Australia! 

[sahilbanga 2]

On 5/28/2019 at 7:31 PM, pushbrk said:

No brainer answer is option 2.  Option 1 is a lot of trouble and less likely to work.

Option 2 is no longer seeming like a possibility since i have yet to find someone willing to help. Any other ideas?

[pushbrk 12,105]

8 hours ago, sahilbanga said:

Option 2 is no longer seeming like a possibility since i have yet to find someone willing to help. Any other ideas?

So, use option 1.  Complicated, but doable if all live in the same household.