Our office received a telephone call today from someone who had been asked to sponsor the immigrant spouse of a U.S. citizen friend. The caller wanted to know what the legal responsibility of a sponsor is and how long it lasts.
The caller told me that he had co-sponsored a cousin, the cousin's spouse and their four children for green cards last year. He had completed an I-864 Affidavit of Support. But it appears that he did not understand the extent and length of his commitment to the sponsored immigrants.
For instance, he thought the commitment only lasted one year. He was surprised to learn that the commitment last for 40 quarters of work or roughly ten years, unless the sponsored immigrant obtains citizenship. The man also thought that he could not be held responsible if the immigrants obtained medical benefits from the government such as Medicaid or Medicare.
I directed this gentleman to our web site, specifically to our article on the legal responsibility of a sponsor. The article is here. Don't make the same mistakes as this gentleman. Find out the facts before you sponsor. If you have any questions, please give us a call on our toll-free number.
