Question about co-sponsorship

[sidmando 15]

I am in the process of applying for visas for my wife and stepdaughter, and I don't meet the income requirement and am therefore considering asking my best friend to co-sponsor the application. He makes a lot of money and would easily qualify, but he is concerned that he might be assuming a massive amount of potential liability. For example, what happens if my wife gets in a car crash and ends up with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of medical bills that we can't pay? Would that mean a co-sponsor could be on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars?

Is it possible to precisely quantify a worst-case scenario for a co-sponsor? And is the responsibility of the co-sponsor for a limited period of time, or is it perpetual?

[Crazy Cat 39,218]

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/F3en.pdf

 

Edited May 2, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 39,218]

13 minutes ago, sidmando said:

I am in the process of applying for visas for my wife and stepdaughter, and I don't meet the income requirement and am therefore considering asking my best friend to co-sponsor the application. He makes a lot of money and would easily qualify, but he is concerned that he might be assuming a massive amount of potential liability. For example, what happens if my wife gets in a car crash and ends up with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of medical bills that we can't pay? Would that mean a co-sponsor could be on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars?

Is it possible to precisely quantify a worst-case scenario for a co-sponsor? And is the responsibility of the co-sponsor for a limited period of time, or is it perpetual?

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/F3en.pdf

Edited May 2, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Boiler 43,430]

Worst case situation, probably $25,000 or so for the rest of their lives.

 

The use in Divorce case has been the most obvious risk, nobody knows what the future could bring.

[JeanneAdil 6,191]

https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/affidavit-of-support

 

under joint sponsor

 

A joint sponsor is someone who is willing to accept legal responsibility for supporting your family member with you. A joint sponsor must meet all the same requirements as you, except the joint sponsor does not need to be related to the immigrant.

 

u could reasure the joint sponsor by increasing your auto insurance medical payments 

and never rely on medicaid or any government benefits that are based on low income

 

but most of us would not joint sponsor so it is fair he has concerns

[sidmando 15]

2 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Worst case situation, probably $25,000 or so for the rest of their lives.

 

The use in Divorce case has been the most obvious risk, nobody knows what the future could bring.

Thanks so much for your reply! Would you be able to provide a little more detail on how you arrive at the $25,000 figure? If I could show my friend evidence that he would never be on the hook for more than that amount, I am sure he would be willing to do it. But he is very concerned that there might be scenarios under which his liability ends up being much larger than that. Obviously I also don't want to financially ruin my best friend. So I really need to find some objectively verifiable information which quantifies the worst case scenario with a relatively high degree of certainty.

[Boiler 43,430]

Look at the I 864, 25,00 a year was my recollection of the amount.

 

PS very wealthy friend

[Crazy Cat 39,218]

3 minutes ago, sidmando said:

Thanks so much for your reply! Would you be able to provide a little more detail on how you arrive at the $25,000 figure? If I could show my friend evidence that he would never be on the hook for more than that amount, I am sure he would be willing to do it. But he is very concerned that there might be scenarios under which his liability ends up being much larger than that. Obviously I also don't want to financially ruin my best friend. So I really need to find some objectively verifiable information which quantifies the worst case scenario with a relatively high degree of certainty.

If he is that concerned, perhaps speaking to an attorney would calm his fears.  I'm sure he can afford it.

Edited May 2, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Family 3,478]

11 minutes ago, sidmando said:

Is it possible to precisely quantify a worst-case scenario for a co-sponsor? And is the responsibility of the co-sponsor for a limited period of time, or is it perpetual?

Show your friend what @Crazy Catposted and also tell him that his assets don’t go on the line for “ bill collectors” , they merely block your wife /step daughter from getting Government “ welfare” to use an old term . And your wife can apply for US citizenship after 3 years of getting green card ( and being married to you) at which point his I-864 is terminated.

 

Attaching internet available link discussing I-864 and scenarios for Sponsor contract liability to pay maintenance/ support to beneficiaries mostly in the divorce proceedings , so you can also assure your friend that you will make good on taking care of wife and child in case of divorce.

https://www.soundimmigration.com/suing-on-the-affidavit-of-support-part-2/

 

Worse case scenario and he refuses and you can’t get anyone to help you, try GETTING A SECOND job and the additional paycheck will be sufficient to show Qualifying CURRENT INCOME, even though last years taxes were below threshold.

 

 

[sidmando 15]

Follow up question. My mother is also a potential co-sponsor (who would have no problem meeting the financial qualifications), however she is 80 years old. Does anyone know if age is a consideration in judging the qualifications of a co-sponsor?

[JeanneAdil 6,191]

Immigrants who are “qualified non-citizens” are generally eligible for coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), if they meet their state’s income and residency rules.

 

and 

 

Medicaid is a public assistance program for poor adults and children. Medicaid is a means-tested program, meaning you must have low income and few assets to qualify.Jan 4, 2021

 

so the term "welfare"  does apply if an immigrant gets medicaid

[sidmando 15]

1 minute ago, JeanneAdil said:

Immigrants who are “qualified non-citizens” are generally eligible for coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), if they meet their state’s income and residency rules.

 

and 

 

Medicaid is a public assistance program for poor adults and children. Medicaid is a means-tested program, meaning you must have low income and few assets to qualify.Jan 4, 2021

 

so the term "welfare"  does apply if an immigrant gets medicaid

Thank you. That is helpful information. As a follow up, do you know if Medicaid assistance has a maximum amount? For example, if my wife got in a bad car crash, could the co-sponsor be on the hook for unlimited amounts of medical bills, or is there a cap on the amount of assistance provided by Medicaid (and therefore on the potential liability of the co-sponsor)?

[JeanneAdil 6,191]

7 minutes ago, sidmando said:

Follow up question. My mother is also a potential co-sponsor (who would have no problem meeting the financial qualifications), however she is 80 years old. Does anyone know if age is a consideration in judging the qualifications of a co-sponsor?

Technically ,  yes,  but any officer would need proof an income is going to last 10 years from date of the green card (till she is 90 )

and a CO would more than likely ask for a  different joint sponsor 

we never know about CO's at an embassy

 

any assets?

[sidmando 15]

1 minute ago, JeanneAdil said:

Technically ,  yes,  but any officer would need proof an income is going to last 10 years from date of the green card (till she is 90 )

and a CO would more than likely ask for a  different joint sponsor 

we never know about CO's at an embassy

 

any assets?

Yes, my mother is very well off. She has very substantial net worth as well as high income (from passive investments). I have no doubt that she would easily be able to meet any financial qualifications. The only question is whether her age might be considered a disqualifying factor.

[JeanneAdil 6,191]

1 minute ago, sidmando said:

Thank you. That is helpful information. As a follow up, do you know if Medicaid assistance has a maximum amount? For example, if my wife got in a bad car crash, could the co-sponsor be on the hook for unlimited amounts of medical bills, or is there a cap on the amount of assistance provided by Medicaid (and therefore on the potential liability of the co-sponsor)?

insurance is a tricky subject

 

car medical insurance covers first (the car responsible for the accident)

but the person hurt (family ) is responsible for any expenses not covered by that insurance with their own health care insurance

 

now,  seems u worry about something far beyond the norm like a car accident

 

 

the joint sponsor has to fully understand the liability of the I 864 and be willing to sign an I 864a plus provide income proofs