Co-Sponsor/I-134 question...

[Todd&Dani 0]

We are approaching a few people to hopefully become a co-sponsor for us and I'd really appreciate some info on this as soon as possible so we have answers to all questions they might have.

What is the length of time/duration the co-sponsor is liable for myself and my US fiancee, whose income may not be high enough to petition for me right now? Once they sign and submit the I-134 how long is the co-sponsor in this agreement? Through the AOS period? Through the entire 2 year period until I become a LPR with no conditions on my Green Card?

The I-134 form states the length of time is individual to the statutes and rules of each specific program. Anyway to create a timeline/end date on this for an I-129F petiton?

Thanks,

Todd & Dani

[john_and_marlene 162]

We are approaching a few people to hopefully become a co-sponsor for us and I'd really appreciate some info on this as soon as possible so we have answers to all questions they might have.

What is the length of time/duration the co-sponsor is liable for myself and my US fiancee, whose income may not be high enough to petition for me right now? Once they sign and submit the I-134 how long is the co-sponsor in this agreement? Through the AOS period? Through the entire 2 year period until I become a LPR with no conditions on my Green Card?

The I-134 form states the length of time is individual to the statutes and rules of each specific program. Anyway to create a timeline/end date on this for an I-129F petiton?

Thanks,

Todd & Dani

The I-134 is not enforceable by the government, but could always be used as the basis for demanding support in a civil lawsuit although the chances for success in gaining that support may be remote.

[thepizzadude 26]

We are approaching a few people to hopefully become a co-sponsor for us and I'd really appreciate some info on this as soon as possible so we have answers to all questions they might have.

What is the length of time/duration the co-sponsor is liable for myself and my US fiancee, whose income may not be high enough to petition for me right now? Once they sign and submit the I-134 how long is the co-sponsor in this agreement? Through the AOS period? Through the entire 2 year period until I become a LPR with no conditions on my Green Card?

Their is really no binding contract with the I-134 but some have said it is a 3 year period...that said when you file AOS you will need to submit an I-864 which is legally binding and has been proven in the US court system. Its duration is binding until the beneficiary has 40 working credits which takes 10 years to accomplish once they start working. It also dies out if they leave the country.

The I-134 form states the length of time is individual to the statutes and rules of each specific program. Anyway to create a timeline/end date on this for an I-129F petiton?

Thanks,

Todd & Dani

[BaWa 0]

Hi there,

from what I can remember of the top of my head, I think a (co)sponsor is financially responsible for an immigrant until that immigrant either becomes a US citizen or can be credited with 40 quarters of work (i.e. 10 years)

I do believe there are different ways to be credited with a quarter of work, but I'm not quite sure about those anymore.

Happy to help.

--BaWa

[thepizzadude 26]

We are approaching a few people to hopefully become a co-sponsor for us and I'd really appreciate some info on this as soon as possible so we have answers to all questions they might have.

What is the length of time/duration the co-sponsor is liable for myself and my US fiancee, whose income may not be high enough to petition for me right now? Once they sign and submit the I-134 how long is the co-sponsor in this agreement? Through the AOS period? Through the entire 2 year period until I become a LPR with no conditions on my Green Card?

Their is really no binding contract with the I-134 but some have said it is a 3 year period...that said when you file AOS you will need to submit an I-864 which is legally binding and has been proven in the US court system. Its duration is binding until the beneficiary has 40 working credits which takes 10 years to accomplish once they start working. It also dies out if they leave the country.

The I-134 form states the length of time is individual to the statutes and rules of each specific program. Anyway to create a timeline/end date on this for an I-129F petiton?

Thanks,

Todd & Dani

First sorry for the Double Post I didn't finish before I posted

The bolded part is the answer...also "if they leave the country" means permanently before becoming a citizen. Also, as stated above in BaWa's post it will also die out if and when they become a US citizen.

Edited July 20, 2009 by thepizzadude

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

We are approaching a few people to hopefully become a co-sponsor for us and I'd really appreciate some info on this as soon as possible so we have answers to all questions they might have.

What is the length of time/duration the co-sponsor is liable for myself and my US fiancee, whose income may not be high enough to petition for me right now? Once they sign and submit the I-134 how long is the co-sponsor in this agreement? Through the AOS period? Through the entire 2 year period until I become a LPR with no conditions on my Green Card?

The I-134 form states the length of time is individual to the statutes and rules of each specific program. Anyway to create a timeline/end date on this for an I-129F petiton?

Thanks,

Todd & Dani

The I-134 is not really legally binding on anyone. For one thing, they can't force anyone to support someone who hasn't immigrated yet, and who may end up not immigrating if the visa is denied. Despite what it says on the form, nobody has ever been held liable to support an immigrant based on the I-134 alone.

The affidavit that IS binding is the I-864, which is submitted when you apply for the green card.

This has already been spelled out in previous posts, but the I-864 is binding until any of the following conditions are met.

1. The immigrant has accrued 40 credits (10 years) of Social Security entitlement through working in the US. This time can be shortened substantially if both immigrant and USC spouse are working, and combining Social Security credits.

2. The immigrant has become a US citizen.

3. The immigrant has lost their legal status, and is no longer living in the US.

4. Either the immigrant or sponsor has died.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

We are approaching a few people to hopefully become a co-sponsor for us and I'd really appreciate some info on this as soon as possible so we have answers to all questions they might have.

What is the length of time/duration the co-sponsor is liable for myself and my US fiancee, whose income may not be high enough to petition for me right now? Once they sign and submit the I-134 how long is the co-sponsor in this agreement? Through the AOS period? Through the entire 2 year period until I become a LPR with no conditions on my Green Card?

The I-134 form states the length of time is individual to the statutes and rules of each specific program. Anyway to create a timeline/end date on this for an I-129F petiton?

Thanks,

Todd & Dani

A "co" or joint sponsor is NEVER liable for the US citizen...only you. The I-134 co-sponsor is liable for you IF the sponsor fails to meet his/her obligations and until the I-134 is replaced by the I-864 at time of AOS

We are approaching a few people to hopefully become a co-sponsor for us and I'd really appreciate some info on this as soon as possible so we have answers to all questions they might have.

What is the length of time/duration the co-sponsor is liable for myself and my US fiancee, whose income may not be high enough to petition for me right now? Once they sign and submit the I-134 how long is the co-sponsor in this agreement? Through the AOS period? Through the entire 2 year period until I become a LPR with no conditions on my Green Card?

The I-134 form states the length of time is individual to the statutes and rules of each specific program. Anyway to create a timeline/end date on this for an I-129F petiton?

Thanks,

Todd & Dani

The I-134 is not really legally binding on anyone. For one thing, they can't force anyone to support someone who hasn't immigrated yet, and who may end up not immigrating if the visa is denied. Despite what it says on the form, nobody has ever been held liable to support an immigrant based on the I-134 alone.

The affidavit that IS binding is the I-864, which is submitted when you apply for the green card.

This has already been spelled out in previous posts, but the I-864 is binding until any of the following conditions are met.

1. The immigrant has accrued 40 credits (10 years) of Social Security entitlement through working in the US. This time can be shortened substantially if both immigrant and USC spouse are working, and combining Social Security credits.

2. The immigrant has become a US citizen.

3. The immigrant has lost their legal status, and is no longer living in the US.

4. Either the immigrant or sponsor has died.

True enough Jim. Obviously there are huge holes in the I-134 procedure.

[Todd&Dani 0]

Thanks for this info. So from what I gather here the I-134 "apparently" covers me with the co-sponsopr liable through to the AOS period and the repleacement form I-864. So would it be fairly honest and accurate to tell them about 4-6 months??

Thanks,

T

[Anh map 2,098]

The sponsors are not responsible for making sure that your life bills/expenses are paid. They are liable to repay the government if the sponsored immigrant uses any "means tested benefits." (There are exceptions where in divorce proceedings an immigrant was awarded support income)

The I-134 is replaced by the I-864 at the Adjustment of Status phase, typically 4-6 months or so after marriage. As indicated in the earlier posts the I-864 is a contract between the sponsor/co-sponsor and the government that lasts several years.

[Leo&Farah 0]

Well since the beneficiary will be out of status after the 90 days entry in the US utilizing the K1 visa, it stands to reason that adjustment should be done ASAP after marriage. So depending on your funds for AOS and how fast you can do the paperwork, I would say an accurate reflection of time to give to the co-sponsor starts from the day you land to the day you adjust status and send out I-1864.

In any case, the I-134 is just to make sure you are not a public charge. It is not to make sure the co-sponsor provides you with money to live. So as long as you don't become a public charge, that argument should soothe the mind of your co-sponsor in regards to their legal liability.

Only thing in terms of legal liability that I could find in the I-134 instructions were:

"Under Section 213 of the Act, if the person you are sponsoring becomes a public charge, the agency that provides assistance may be able to sue to cover the costs of the assistance'.

Then again, a lot of people are saying I-134 is not legally binding and only acts as a cover letter. One very helpful answer on the nature of the I-134 was post #14 of this thread:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...=204616&hl=

[Todd&Dani 0]

Anh_map and Leo&Farah,

Thanks for the extra info. It is appreciated.

T&D

[JP and Kelly 0]

Now I am also in the same dilema. I asked my parents if they can cosponsor me and my fiance from the England. They feel it is too riskey since one of us could end up in the hospital having large bills. I decide to make an appointment with the immigration offices so they can find out that I-134 is infact not as legally binding as the I-864.

They did not tell me anything, I knew more than the lady had know...

I am currently working 2 part-time jobs and am doing Full-time school but I am not sure if Ill be able to prove to them I meet the 125% Poverty Line. We are now preparing for the interview getting all the necessary documentation. I Also found on the website my fiance recieved from her letter she got in the embassy and it states they require her financial information.

So

Does that mean that they will take her funds in mind along with mine when they decide?

I will see if I can get one of my older siblings to help sponsor me if it comes to it.

Thanks

JP