Sad Story, need to know how to give advice

[miker32us 6]

We have some good friends who are in their mid 60's who immigrated from China through their son to the US 3 years ago. They are living with their son and daughter-in-law and 2 grandchildren. The son and daughter-in-law are both Chinese but now have their US citizenship The daughter-in-law wants them to move out and into HUD federal subsidy housing because she says the current situation with all of them living together is creating a lot of friction. Neither of the parents speaks any English and they are both very upset about this entire situation. Both parents do have social security numbers but have never worked in the US.

My question is: Did the son, as his parent's sponsor have to fill out the I-864 for both of his parents and does this filing prevent them from going on public assistance? I also wonder if they do succeed in getting into this public subsidy housing if one day HUD's computers tie into USCIS computers and uncover this scam.

To sum up the situation, these are 2 elderly Chinese parents who have never worked in the US and are asking the federal government to subsidize their housing and I would also imagine they will have to apply for food stamps so they can eat.

[Cebu2Florida 0]

I feel sad for the parents. If they were my parents I would want them to stay at the same house with me especially

that they are already old and dont speak english. That would be too hard for them to move out by themselves. How long

they have been here?

We have some good friends who are in their mid 60's who immigrated from China through their son to the US 3 years ago. They are living with their son and daughter-in-law and 2 grandchildren. The son and daughter-in-law are both Chinese but now have their US citizenship The daughter-in-law wants them to move out and into HUD federal subsidy housing because she says the current situation with all of them living together is creating a lot of friction. Neither of the parents speaks any English and they are both very upset about this entire situation. Both parents do have social security numbers but have never worked in the US.

My question is: Did the son, as his parent's sponsor have to fill out the I-864 for both of his parents and does this filing prevent them from going on public assistance? I also wonder if they do succeed in getting into this public subsidy housing if one day HUD's computers tie into USCIS computers and uncover this scam.

To sum up the situation, these are 2 elderly Chinese parents who have never worked in the US and are asking the federal government to subsidize their housing and I would also imagine they will have to apply for food stamps so they can eat.

[Sand 5]

To Bad

[Dakine 26]

I feel sad for the parents. If they were my parents I would want them to stay at the same house with me especially

that they are already old and dont speak english. That would be too hard for them to move out by themselves. How long

they have been here?

We have some good friends who are in their mid 60's who immigrated from China through their son to the US 3 years ago. They are living with their son and daughter-in-law and 2 grandchildren. The son and daughter-in-law are both Chinese but now have their US citizenship The daughter-in-law wants them to move out and into HUD federal subsidy housing because she says the current situation with all of them living together is creating a lot of friction. Neither of the parents speaks any English and they are both very upset about this entire situation. Both parents do have social security numbers but have never worked in the US.

My question is: Did the son, as his parent's sponsor have to fill out the I-864 for both of his parents and does this filing prevent them from going on public assistance? I also wonder if they do succeed in getting into this public subsidy housing if one day HUD's computers tie into USCIS computers and uncover this scam.

To sum up the situation, these are 2 elderly Chinese parents who have never worked in the US and are asking the federal government to subsidize their housing and I would also imagine they will have to apply for food stamps so they can eat.

They can go on public assistance but whoever signed the I-864 will be responsible for any cost of such.

[Boiler 43,630]

What happens if they get sick?

Time to go home.

[MissStacey 1]

I assume that it was the son that signed the I 864 for his parents- he needs to suck it up and take responsibility.

[miker32us 6]

Yes it was the son who sponsored them. They have been here for 3 years now. The father got sick last year and had to go to the hospital and when he was given the bill he claimed he had no income so he could not pay for the hospital charges. The parents think they will be eligible for what they call "retirement pay" from the US government. But I have told them they would not be eligible for social security or medicare since they have never worked here. Both receive a small retirement from the Chinese givernment and we have suggested they go back to China. I think being put in an apartment by their son is going to be very sad and lonely for them.

[Nancy2015 2]

Nothing prevents them from getting public benefits, but the cost of these benefits will be collected from the sponsor...

Maybe they should consider going back to China - living in a foreign country when you're in your 60's and aren't entitled to any retirement is not a very smart decision, imho.

[miker32us 6]

We met with them last night and strongly suggested they go back to China. They have another son back in China and can live in his home as most elderly Chinese parents do. We told them their USC son had abandoned his obligation to them and that even if they do get into subsidized housing they will have problems obtaining food stamps and health care.

Yes, in theory, according to the I-864 the sponsor is required to reimburse any agency that provides means-based public benefits. But what are the chances that this ever happens? To get into subsidized housing the elderly Chinese couple fills out a form which requires their SSN, which they both have. It asks for their income, which is zero. This form is sent to HUD, HUD hopefully verifies with IRS that they have no income and they are finished!!!! Where does USCIS come into the picture? They told us they know other Chinese parents who are in subsidized housing so it is obvious they have found a way to exploit the system.

By the way, the son paid nothing for the father's hospital charges, they were just "forgiven".

Nothing prevents them from getting public benefits, but the cost of these benefits will be collected from the sponsor...

Maybe they should consider going back to China - living in a foreign country when you're in your 60's and aren't entitled to any retirement is not a very smart decision, imho.

[Boiler 43,630]

My Brother in Law is in Hospital, nearly died, because he could not afford his meds.

Yes they will get emergency treatment, but at their age that might be too late.

[athena_ny 1]

I'd move into the HUD housing if I were them and send the government after the son.

What a bunch of maroons. You don't sponsor someone then 'give up' three years later.

[KPY 0]

Wow, the son is really non filial.

According USCIS, receiving public housing benefits under some circumstances are not considered public charge (eg. financial circumstances has changed, etc) for the beneficiaries. Therefore, the USCIS may not deport the beneficiaries (if they already has approved GC) but may go after their sponsor of the I-864 later.

miker32us: You may want to print this USCIS bulletin for your neighbors to read (in Chinese):

http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/ChinFS.pdf

Edited November 4, 2007 by KPY