Being a joint sponsor

[Rob70]

Hi-
My next door neighbor, a Canadian, asked if I would be a joint sponsor for him. I am a friend of his, but apparently his son in law rejected that role because of a mutual dislike. His daughter, an American is the primary sponsor.

I was at first hesitant to do this, but after talking to a very reputable immigration lawyer, he said that if you are a joint sponsor, the risk is negligible. In all the cases he knows, the government has never come after the joint sponsor in the event the green card holder requires federal assistance.

I mentioned to the lawyer that I might marry a Canadian, so I also mentioned to the lawyer my concern that would being a joint sponsor for one Canadian be a problem if I want to sponsor another Canadian. He said no, not at all.

I'd appreciate some feedback here. It's nice to get other opinions. I am inclined to be a joint sponsor, but wonder if you agree with the immigration lawyer.

Rob70

[Trinity71]

Hi-
My next door neighbor, a Canadian, asked if I would be a joint sponsor for him. I am a friend of his, but apparently his son in law rejected that role because of a mutual dislike. His daughter, an American is the primary sponsor.

I was at first hesitant to do this, but after talking to a very reputable immigration lawyer, he said that if you are a joint sponsor, the risk is negligible. In all the cases he knows, the government has never come after the joint sponsor in the event the green card holder requires federal assistance.

I mentioned to the lawyer that I might marry a Canadian, so I also mentioned to the lawyer my concern that would being a joint sponsor for one Canadian be a problem if I want to sponsor another Canadian. He said no, not at all.

I'd appreciate some feedback here. It's nice to get other opinions. I am inclined to be a joint sponsor, but wonder if you agree with the immigration lawyer.

Rob70

So I guess regardless of what the lawyer said, it really comes down to what does it mean to be a joint sponsor. It means that you along with the other sponsor are legally responsible for supporting a sponsored immigrant until they become a U.S. citizen or have earned 40 work credits here so either way 10 years. So that's maybe 10 years, maybe even longer or forever. What if he does never files for citizenship or never obtains the work credits?. Also, your going into this deal with someone who can't do it on her own in the first place or they wouldn't need a joint sponsor at all. I don't know how good of friends you are with your neighbor, but I would caution you about doing this. Your lawyer knows that the government has never come after a joint sponsor? How does he know that? I would guess he is going to make some $ in this process. Either way, even if they "never" come after the joint sponsor, legally they could and that is the bottom line.

This is my opinion and not legal advice. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk.

Trinity71

[rayb]

There is a risk in going on record as a sponsor, but the primary sponsor/petitioner is the first potential target if the immigrant receives benefits that would cause the provider to look for payment.

Of checking I have done about this issue in the past, divorce courts are the venue where the subject of immigration sponsorship is most likely to come up, and judges will tend to either discount the I-864 entirely (designating that as an immigration issue, not Family Court), or use the I-864 document as a basis for deciding on temporary Family Support (Alimony).

--Ray B

Hi-
My next door neighbor, a Canadian, asked if I would be a joint sponsor for him. I am a friend of his, but apparently his son in law rejected that role because of a mutual dislike. His daughter, an American is the primary sponsor.

I was at first hesitant to do this, but after talking to a very reputable immigration lawyer, he said that if you are a joint sponsor, the risk is negligible. In all the cases he knows, the government has never come after the joint sponsor in the event the green card holder requires federal assistance.

I mentioned to the lawyer that I might marry a Canadian, so I also mentioned to the lawyer my concern that would being a joint sponsor for one Canadian be a problem if I want to sponsor another Canadian. He said no, not at all.

I'd appreciate some feedback here. It's nice to get other opinions. I am inclined to be a joint sponsor, but wonder if you agree with the immigration lawyer.

Rob70