Joint Sponsor's Liability

[perpetual nomad 0]

I'd like to explain to my aunt exactly what her total liability would be in agreeing to be our joint sponsor for the CR-1 spousal visa.

If my spouse gets sued in the US or incurs a $100,000 medial bill that we can't pay, how exposed is our sponsor?

Is the scope of their financial obligations limited only to government benefits?

[Indy90 21]

I'd like to explain to my aunt exactly what her total liability would be in agreeing to be our joint sponsor for the CR-1 spousal visa.

If my spouse gets sued in the US or incurs a $100,000 medial bill that we can't pay, how exposed is our sponsor?

Is the scope of their financial obligations limited only to government benefits?

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3183.html

If you follow the link above, it says that the following means tested benefits are liable:

* Food stamps

* Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

* Medicaid

* Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

* State Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

However, these means tested benefits are not liable, meaning that the sponsor will not be responsible:

* Emergency Medicaid

* School lunches

* Immunizations and treatment for communicable diseases

* Student assistance to attend colleges and institutions of higher learning

* Some kinds of foster care or adoption assistance

* Job training programs

* Head start

* Short-term, non-cash emergency relief

However, does anyone know how strict they are with pursuing co-sponsors if they actually do have to pay? Since I am a student, my father will have to co-sponsor. He is pretty worried that in the event my wife were to be diagnosed with something like cancer, he would be stuck with a very large bill.

Edited March 6, 2010 by Indy90

[sachinky 465]

If the intending immigrant uses public money such as foodstamps, the U.S. government can sue the primary sponsor for recoupment of the said amount. Failing that, they will recoup the money from the joint sponsor. So unless your spouse uses welfare, your joint sponsor is not responsible for anything else. Have your joint sponsor read through the document first, and ask intelligent questions. Only let them agree. A lot of people nod and agree and when the time comes for them to sign the form, they freak the eff out.

[Indy90 21]

Sorry I think I was a little unclear with my above post; its kind of late at night. In response to the OP, the co-sponsor would not be responsible for anything but public benefits, which are those described above in my first post. For example, credit card debt is private and therefore would never be the co-sponsor's responsibility. I don't believe a co-sponsor could be responsible in a suit (although what if the suit was brought by the government?).

What I am curious about is if my wife were to ever apply for public benefits to help pay for an expense like cancer. Could my dad ever be held responsible? This is more for his peace of mind than mine.

Edited March 6, 2010 by Indy90

[sachinky 465]

The intending immigrant may not use public money until she/he becomes a USC. This is my understanding--you can check with someone else. Only then the joint sponsor is off the hook. And remember, the petitioning spouse is STILL the primary sponsor.

[perpetual nomad 0]

Thanks for your thoughts -- insightful