Immigration - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions On Immigration

Affidavit of Support for Others

Q. My friend wants me to sign an affidavit of support for his children. If I sign it what will be my obligations? My friend is earning $20,000 per year. He and his wife are permanent residents. His CPA told him that he does not have enough income to sponsor his children so he asks me for help.

A. Your friend is very close to heaving enough earnings to sponsor his children. he needs to show that his income is 125% of the federal poverty level for year 2000, or $21,312.50 for a family of four. If you sign an affidavit, it becomes an enforceable contract between you, the children and the government. The contract makes you ultimately responsible for the children's maintenance and for any means-tested public benefits they receive. You would have this obligation until the children become US citizens, work 40 quarters (about 10 years) or dir. These affidavits of support rules are relatively new. It is not clear how successful the children or the government would be in trying to enforce the agreement.

(By Alan Wernick)

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