Failed to find a Co-sponsor?!

[MsZ 6]

125% *is* a joke. That's barely getting by to begin with.

Hell, on my salary alone I easily cleared support for 6 people. (That's if both our former spouses were no longer with us and I had to support my husband and our combined 4 kids.) Yeah, we could probably survive but not well and if anything went wrong like a medical problem or the roof went, we'd be dead in the water.

[gingerblue 0]

The "once he/she is here it will be better economically" may be true but it also might not. So you're asking the US public to take a chance that it will work out as you hope but in the mean time, you can't actually afford one more dependent. And from my POV, if you can't afford one more dependent, you can't afford to bring over a fiance (not even a spouse but a fiance).

They also say that one of the worst reasons to remarry is the hope that you'll be better off financially. Money problems from the get go turn into relationship problems and that also decreases the chance that it will work out as you hope. And in turn, that means that we're (the US public) are taking an even greater chance than you probably realize.

Nothing is guaranteed, not even a huge income. The US has to make their decision based on statistical realities. I'm just saying that there are times and circumstances where a lack of income has a valid explanation and that explanation isn't always "hard times" or lack of ability to take on one more dependant. You are absolutely correct that marrying with the expectation of a better financial future is a trap that doesn't always work. However, it is not hard at all to make enough money to surpass the 125% line. If one is free to work and isn't in school, disabled, or raising a mentally ill child.

It is true that by far most immigrants are coming from countries where the typical resident is not as well off financially as the typical resident of the US. But it's not an absolute. And yes, the US is suspicious of situations where the beneficiary has money. It looks too much like one is buying their way into the US. But again, this is not an absolute. There are many countries which have the same or better standard of living than the US. When those people immigrate, they get to bring their assets and work history and employability. That should not be dismissed. My fiance has MUCH more resources than I do, financial and otherwise. Yet I am the one this process focuses on. That was my only point.

[Marina Gavrilos 0]

I'm sorry but what in numbers would be considered 125% over the poverty line? As a Social Worker, I make betwen $30,000 to $40,000...would that make me 125% over poverty? Can I then be considered the only sponsor for my husband?

I'm sorry if it is a silly question.

[LuckyDucky 0]

I'm sorry but what in numbers would be considered 125% over the poverty line? As a Social Worker, I make betwen $30,000 to $40,000...would that make me 125% over poverty? Can I then be considered the only sponsor for my husband?

I'm sorry if it is a silly question.

If it'll just be the two of you, then you're fine. The poverty level varies depending on how may people will be in your household or if you happen to live in Alaksa or Hawaii.

If you live in the 48 states and there will just be the two of you, the 2008 poverty level is $14,000. 125% of that is $17,500.

With a $30,000 income, you meet the 125% level with up to 4 people in your house (that would be you, your future spouse, and 2 dependents) in the contiguous 48 states. You will require a little more if you live in Alaska or Hawaii.

[*JG* 2]

I'm sorry but what in numbers would be considered 125% over the poverty line? As a Social Worker, I make betwen $30,000 to $40,000...would that make me 125% over poverty? Can I then be considered the only sponsor for my husband?

I'm sorry if it is a silly question.

Yes, you are fine.

[Marina Gavrilos 0]

Thank you both so much!

[msnoob 3]

The "once he/she is here it will be better economically" may be true but it also might not. So you're asking the US public to take a chance that it will work out as you hope but in the mean time, you can't actually afford one more dependent. And from my POV, if you can't afford one more dependent, you can't afford to bring over a fiance (not even a spouse but a fiance).

They also say that one of the worst reasons to remarry is the hope that you'll be better off financially. Money problems from the get go turn into relationship problems and that also decreases the chance that it will work out as you hope. And in turn, that means that we're (the US public) are taking an even greater chance than you probably realize.

Nothing is guaranteed, not even a huge income. The US has to make their decision based on statistical realities. I'm just saying that there are times and circumstances where a lack of income has a valid explanation and that explanation isn't always "hard times" or lack of ability to take on one more dependant. You are absolutely correct that marrying with the expectation of a better financial future is a trap that doesn't always work. However, it is not hard at all to make enough money to surpass the 125% line. If one is free to work and isn't in school, disabled, or raising a mentally ill child.

It is true that by far most immigrants are coming from countries where the typical resident is not as well off financially as the typical resident of the US. But it's not an absolute. And yes, the US is suspicious of situations where the beneficiary has money. It looks too much like one is buying their way into the US. But again, this is not an absolute. There are many countries which have the same or better standard of living than the US. When those people immigrate, they get to bring their assets and work history and employability. That should not be dismissed. My fiance has MUCH more resources than I do, financial and otherwise. Yet I am the one this process focuses on. That was my only point.

I think the current rules for support are fair. You are correct that the "majority" is not an absolute. Unfortunately, rules are made for the majority and those that fall in the statistical tails may suffer. The 125% rule is something that the government came up with to lessen the chances of someone coming to the US and receiving aid from US tax dollars. Since this isn't an absolute, they also put in place the possibility of a co-sponsor. If you have a "special" situation that is explainable, then a family member or close friend could co-sponsor your fiance. If they agree that once your future husband arrives, the income situation will not be a problem, they could assist you in bringing your fiance over.

As for the original question, I think that if you fail to meet the 125% guideline and you fail to get a co-sponsor, the petition is denied.

I don't think the economic situation will directly affect the immigration process as a whole. It may affect personal situations making it more difficult to financially support dependents, but not the process from the government's perspective.

[MsZ 6]

You are the one being focused on because you are the USC and you are the one who is SPONSORING the other person. And you are the one held responsible for that person's well-being in the US whether or not your relationship works out. And if you get a co-sponsor, they take on that responsibility as well.

This is no small matter as far as I'm concerned. Having children means that I have to take care of them, protect them, etc. etc. etc. and to add another person to the mix that I am responsible for means that I'd darn well better be able to fulfill my obligation. While my husband makes a good wage and his company is transfering him to the US when the time comes, I know that it is _my_ $$ on the line here and it is _my_ responsibility, not his, by virtue of the paperwork I signed in my affidavit of support. And, it is my kids' future.

In reality, all of us, ex-spouses and my husband and I, make good money. And at a ratio of 1:1 parent:kid, we're in terrific shape. But the bottom line is that I had to put the number 6 down on my affidavit because I am responsible for 6 people should the others be unable to contribute. And I take that responsibility seriously.

These aren't just numbers we put down on forms so we can get someone into the US. They're contracts and they matter (or at least they should).