Unemployed GC Holder sponsoring visa for Mother, a recent widow..

[tsranga]

I am currently unemployed (starting this month), and my 76 year old mother plans to visit me next month and has a visa appointment. She has visited me along with my dad on a 2 year visa, and the visa and the passport have since expired along with my dad last year.

I am planning to ask my wife (US Citizen, employed) to sponsor my mother's visit. We have sufficient financial resources (house/stock/deposits).
My mother is retired, gets a pension and is self-sufficient. The rest of my siblings are in India.

Questions:

1. Can my wife sponsor her visit?
2. Will the previous visit carry any weight in obtaining her visa although her marital status has changed?

Thanks

[peace]

Before 9/11 , they used to have a drop-box facility. anyone who visited US on a B1/B2 without overstaying, was granted another 10 yr B1/B2 without
an interview.

But now things have changed. Everyone is required to be interviewed and
the value of previous lawful visits has diminished. In your case, your mother being a widow is a negative , it has become harder for widows, if not impossible.
Secondly, your unemployed status will be a negative too. There is nothing against your wife sponsoring but it seems unnatural. Husbands sponsoring their inlaws is ok, but the other way round may destroy the application
as such decisions are discretionary.

Advice; I would have advised you to let your mom apply when you got a job
but now that you have taken an appointment, good presentation is the key.

*She should say she is going for 2 months. Asking long stays
will mean she may not want to come back.
*Does she have a very good net worth bank balance,depostis(over 10 lacs) she can show self financing. They will ask her who is paying for the trip,
she should say she has about ___lacs in her savings and she is spending her own money. That will go in her favour. IN that case your wife need not send any financial support papers. You can send an invitation letter.
*She can show some ties to any welfare or other organization in her community where she could hold a responsible position. That will go in her favour.

[tsranga]

Secondly, your unemployed status will be a negative too. There is nothing against your wife sponsoring but it seems unnatural. Husbands sponsoring their inlaws is ok, but the other way round may destroy the application
as such decisions are discretionary.

Advice; I would have advised you to let your mom apply when you got a job
but now that you have taken an appointment, good presentation is the key.

Well, my wife is the primary bread-winner of the family since last year.. in this modern age, I am surprised that it still matters, esp in IT.. not that I wasn't drawing a six figure income until last month. Also, I have not taken up USC even though I am eligible for more than a year, while my wife did.

Secondly. this is the only time my mom can visit me is because her students get a break after the exams. She is absolutely diligent about not missing any time spent tutoring them. She does it as a service more than for income.

I am wondering how I can use both the fact that I have not taken up USC and the fact that my mom has ties (with her students) that are more important to her than her children.

[peace]

Your not choosing to become a USC won't have any positive effect because that does not ensure her return (return is the issue the officer is concerned about)
But her commitment to tutoring will. They may take it on its face value or they may ask her to show some documents showing that she is committed to tutoring.