How Much Will it Cost Me to Sponsor an Immigrant to Come to the USA?
Sponsoring an immigrant to come to the USA can have various financial implications, depending on the specific type of sponsorship and the immigrant's circumstances. Here are some key points to consider:
Financial Responsibility: Financial responsibility may vary depending on your invovlment in bringing the immigrant to the USA as a Lawful Permanent Resident or a visitor. When you sponsor an immigrant by signing an I—864 Affidavit of Support, you become financially responsible for them. This means that if the immigrant receives certain means-tested public benefits, the government can ask you to repay those benefits. the immigrant can also sue you for performance of the I-864 Contract. Your responsibility is a contractual obligation between you and the U.S. Government. There are 5 events that will terminate this obligation. There are circumstances that will offset the responsibility.
The basic support obbligation is determined by the Social Security Administration on an annual bases. For more information on the I-864 Affidavit of Support contact Kyndra L Mulder, Esquire. Attorney Mulder is one of the most knowledgable attorneys in the U.S. on the litigatio of the I-864 Contract and is a Jacksonville Immigration Lawyer practicing in civil litigation of the I-864 Affidavit of Support through out the United States.
Income Requirements: Generally, you will need to meet certain income requirements to demonstrate that you can financially support the immigrant at the amount established by the SSA on an annual basis. Income and assets can be used to qualify as a sponsor. In addition you may have a joint-sponsor and or household members contribute to the required sponsorship amount. the joint sponsor and household members can be held equally accountable should litigation to demand performance of the I-864 occurs.
The income and assets required to support an immigrant increases with each household member that you have who is dependant on you and the number of immigrants you are supporting.
Tax Implications: Depending on your relationship with the immigrant and the type of sponsorship, there could be tax implications. For example, if you sponsor a relative for immigration, you may be able to claim them as a dependent on your taxes, which could affect your tax liability. The immigrant is issued a social security number when the EAD is applied for . The Employment Authorization Document EAD is usually issued before the Adjustment of Staus and green card is approved. When the immigrant receives a Social Security Number that number can be used to file a joint tax return if the immigrant is your spouse. This can result in a tax benefit.
The Immigrant can apply for an Individual Tax Idenfication Number inorder to file taxes or be named as a dependant on your tax return. It is important to speak with a qualified tax specialist when considering whether to name the immigrant as your dependant or file a joint tax return.
Healthcare Costs: Health insurance and out of pocket health care expenses are often overlooked when the immigrant is yound and healthy. However, people get sick and accidents happen. The cost of health care should not be overlooked. You may be responsible for the immigrant's healthcare costs until they become eligible for personal health insurance or employer-sponsored health insurance. Should the immigrant incure healthcare costs the provider can come after you the sponsor for payment.
Duration of Responsibility: Your financial responsibility typically lasts until the immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen, has worked for 40 quarters in the U.S., leaves the country permanently, or dies, depending on the specific circumstances and type of sponsorship. As previously discussed, in addition to the foregoing terminating events there are circumstances that will offset your liability.
It's essential to thoroughly research and understand the financial implications before sponsoring an immigrant to come to the USA. Not all and in fact most immigration attorneys are not knowledgable in this area. Kyndra L Mulder, esquire, is a Jacksonville immigration lawyer and specializes in this area. The I-864 Affidavit of Support requires knowledge of contract law as well as immigration law. Attorney Mulder has this knowledge and aquired experience.
