It was such a long time ago that I honestly don't remember the specific reasoning - but they did not accept our foreign assets (which were in fact substantial).They had to be stateside assets to be accepted. My father-in-law ended up having to sponsor me for ten years (ie. in case of job loss/hardship, he is financially responsible for me and I am not eligible for welfare etc). I remind him of this every time he trash talks my golf game.