Co-Sponsor Outside of the US??

[MichelleMcK 0]

Ok, so I just had a crazy thought... I'm having trouble convincing my parents to co-sponsor my fiance, because they worry about the possible financial burden that can be put on them....

So... could a co-sponsor be outside of the US?? My fiance's parents and grandparents would sponsor him in a second... I found this on the USCIS website, it makes me think that I'm not crazy?

"If the sponsor is in the United States, the affidavit may be sworn to or affirmed before an immigration officer (see any USCIS District or sub-office) or before a notary public or other official authorized to administer oaths for general purposes. If the sponsor is outside the United States, the affidavit must be sworn to or affirmed before a U.S. consular or immigration officer."

Or is that just talking about me?? I'm confused, does anyone know the answer?

Thanks!

[thermophile 0]

pretty sure that co-sponsors have to be USC. go back and read the requirements again.

[Earmuffs 1]

yeah I think it has to be a USC..

how could they hold a canadian responsible if anything happened.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

yeah I think it has to be a USC..

how could they hold a canadian responsible if anything happened.

Extraordinary rendition?

[Paul & Ilona 0]

Ok, so I just had a crazy thought... I'm having trouble convincing my parents to co-sponsor my fiance, because they worry about the possible financial burden that can be put on them....

So... could a co-sponsor be outside of the US?? My fiance's parents and grandparents would sponsor him in a second... I found this on the USCIS website, it makes me think that I'm not crazy?

"If the sponsor is in the United States, the affidavit may be sworn to or affirmed before an immigration officer (see any USCIS District or sub-office) or before a notary public or other official authorized to administer oaths for general purposes. If the sponsor is outside the United States, the affidavit must be sworn to or affirmed before a U.S. consular or immigration officer."

Or is that just talking about me?? I'm confused, does anyone know the answer?

Thanks!

Hi guys! Paul and I were in the same situation with his step mother these past few weeks. Paul has no income right now, so step mom Jan was deeply concerned that by her husband (Paul's father) agreeing to be a co-sponsor for me and Paul, they'd be in financial ruin, hopelessly in debt, retirement fund exhausted, and have to sell the house and cars and live in a cardboard box and eat dog food. Paul tried to explain to her the reality of the situation, but to no end. We eventually visited an immigration lawyer last week in Cleveland, who simply called up Jan on his speakerphone and explained to her more or less this:

When someone agrees to be a joint sponsor (or co-sponsorship, same thing), they're making an agreement with the government that if for whatever reason their son or daughter in law ends up recieving any type of welfare, the government has the right to bill the co-sponsor and be reimbursed for the money that was paid out. The "contract" last for ten years.

Co-sponsorship does not force them to give you money if you need it. It doesn't hold them responsible for any debts the beneficiary racks up on a credit card. It doesn't mean that they have to pay your heat, hydro, and food for the next ten years. It simply means that if the beneficary becomes a public charge (and that means hardcore welfare; foodstamps and so on. There are many types of government monies that do not apply, and that you can still recieve without putting mom and dad at risk), the goverment CAN hold them responsible and seek reimbursement from the co-sponsor.

The immigration lawyer said that if this happens, the government will almost certainly go after the primary sponsor first, before resorting to the co-sponsor, if at all. He said sometimes they won't even bother. The contract the co-sponsor signs merely gives the government that option.

I really, really hope this helps you guys out. That's basically it. Jan was satisfied with that explaination the lawyer gave her over the phone and now all the hand-wringing and head shaking are over and my father in law can now co-sponsor me, worry-free. Jan actually admitted that "It wasn't as 'bad' as she thought". Maybe all your parents need to get on board is to have a nice immigration lawyer lay it all out for them on the phone? It worked for us.

[DavidsPrincess 1]

The co-sponsor has to be a US citizen. The government could not hold a person outside of the United States responsible for supporting one of their citizens. The statement you quoted was if, for example, your mother was going to sponsor him but she is on vacation or visiting family in Canada, she could go to a consulate there and state her oath to them.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Joint sponsors indeed must be USC's - though nowhere does it say they have to live in the US (i.e. retired peepz who live in Tahiti but are USC's).