Sponsoring my mom ?

[Bob72]

Hi first post here, so let me start off by saying hi !

My wife and i emigrated to the USA back in 2003 and we both rec'd our Green Cards back in 2012 via employment based sponsorship. Now with two children (US Citizens aged 10 & 11.. I will be able to apply to become a US citizen later this year, which i fully intend to do so soon as the moment arrives. Originally from the UK, so i believe i can even keep dual citizenship.

Anyway, I have my mom/mum, who i am her only surviving son. Obviously one of the heartaches of moving to the US is leaving loved ones behind.... But that was years ago, and she was with my dad and had other family members around at the time, which have for unfortunate reasons all passed. So my mom is left back in the UK on her own.

Given she's retired, she does come for 90days at a time as a tourist in an i-94 visa waiver, and i have even bought her, her own coach home, so she has a place to live as she's here a lot...

However, the thought of leaving her in England without family for 6 months of the yr as she becomes elderly is a tough pill to swallow. She's 74, and she's not getting any younger.. How much longer will she be able to make the long trips over to see her family ?

So my question is can i sponsor my mom as soon as i'm a citizen ? I'll approach an immigration attorney, but as you know these things cost money, and if it can't be done, then i'd rather know rather than spend whatever it costs for an immigration attorney to say no.

If it can be done, what about health insurance? she's obviously never paid any taxes here so can't imagine she's eligible for any medicaid, but has some savings, but can't imagine how much insurance costs for a 74yr old ? She's not on any prescriptions or anything tho, but it is inevitable that she will one day become sick and perhaps require hospitalization... We all do, unless we get off lightly and just pass quietly in our sleep !

Anyway I've rattled on long enough, i'm sure i'm not the only one in this dilemma, and I'll update this thread after i've spoken to an immigation attorney to find out what they say, but it sure is a good topic of conversation !!

[PryncissQueen]

Here is a little information for you: https://www.immihelp.com/family-based-greencard/

[Bob72]

Here is a little information for you: https://www.immihelp.com/family-based-greencard/

Thanks so it does seem i can sponsor her using an i-130 form, which doesn't seem to have an all that long waiting list. 6months approx. However health insurance is the big question.

While she's in good health, things do happen to the older folk. I did find this, however i don't know how legit it is. I guess i need to call them.

[Trinity71]

Hi first post here, so let me start off by saying hi !

My wife and i emigrated to the USA back in 2003 and we both rec'd our Green Cards back in 2012 via employment based sponsorship. Now with two children (US Citizens aged 10 & 11.. I will be able to apply to become a US citizen later this year, which i fully intend to do so soon as the moment arrives. Originally from the UK, so i believe i can even keep dual citizenship.

Anyway, I have my mom/mum, who i am her only surviving son. Obviously one of the heartaches of moving to the US is leaving loved ones behind.... But that was years ago, and she was with my dad and had other family members around at the time, which have for unfortunate reasons all passed. So my mom is left back in the UK on her own.

Given she's retired, she does come for 90days at a time as a tourist in an i-94 visa waiver, and i have even bought her, her own coach home, so she has a place to live as she's here a lot...

However, the thought of leaving her in England without family for 6 months of the yr as she becomes elderly is a tough pill to swallow. She's 74, and she's not getting any younger.. How much longer will she be able to make the long trips over to see her family ?

So my question is can i sponsor my mom as soon as i'm a citizen ? I'll approach an immigration attorney, but as you know these things cost money, and if it can't be done, then i'd rather know rather than spend whatever it costs for an immigration attorney to say no.

If it can be done, what about health insurance? she's obviously never paid any taxes here so can't imagine she's eligible for any medicaid, but has some savings, but can't imagine how much insurance costs for a 74yr old ? She's not on any prescriptions or anything tho, but it is inevitable that she will one day become sick and perhaps require hospitalization... We all do, unless we get off lightly and just pass quietly in our sleep !

Anyway I've rattled on long enough, i'm sure i'm not the only one in this dilemma, and I'll update this thread after i've spoken to an immigation attorney to find out what they say, but it sure is a good topic of conversation !!

As far as medical coverage for her, that will be a challenge. There are temporary plans she can carry while waiting to become eligible for Medicare, so let me explain in general how this works. When someone her age or usually any age over 65 comes to the U.S. on a green card, they are not eligible for domestic insurance. You are correct, she will not be eligible for Medicaid or any type of government assistance like that. She has never paid into the benefits and therefore will not be eligible to take any benefits out.

When you sponsor her, you will have to sign an affidavit of support making you financially responsible for her. After she has had the green card for 5 years, she will become eligible for Medicare. However, since she will not have the required work credits, she will have to pay full price for Medicare. That will be expensive. We are talking hundreds of dollars a month, as of today's date most likely somewhere between 600.00 and 800.00 a month. The temporary plans she can have in the meantime, cover all new illnesses and injuries after the effective date. The plans do not cover preventative care, routine maintenance or pre-existing conditions. Also, the policy maximums will be limited.

For information about insurance plans she would be eligible for, you can contact Insubuy. The # is 866-INSUBUY. They have licensed agents here in the U.S. that can go over options with you and can help clarify what plans would be available to her in the state you live in.

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

Trinity71

[inadmissible]

Bob, check your state healthcare insurance exchange to get an idea what insurance costs for someone her age

[Bob72]

Thanks for the replies... I'll look into the state healthcare insurance exchange. In terms of sponsoring a parent, how does the US do in that department ? How are they when it comes to denying people because of age, and therefore of no use to the country ? Or do they see it as perhaps old lady, will bring her savings to the US, spend what she has over her last remaining years and with that in mind, be adding / contributing to the economy, rather than being a burden.

[inadmissible]

The Affidavit of Support is used to ensure that she does not intend to be a burden on United States taxpayers

See Form I-864 and its instructions