Turned away at interview for lack of income

[dmac7758 0]

You've got it wrong. For a household count of 3, 125% above the poverty line is $23,162. You do not multiply that amount by 125%. USCIS has already done it for you.

Lets face it, Americans in general are really bad at math. USCIS is not going to rely on us multiplying any number by 125%.

LOL!!! How true!

[bobnleth 2]

Sorry about your situation, but the I-864 is not just another piece of paper. It is analogous to co-signing a loan - a potentially unlimited amount that the Joint Sponsor would be on the hook for. Look up all the horror stories on this forum from people who regret signing the I-864. If your wife's son receives any means tested benefits, your Joint Sponsor would be on the hook for paying it back. If your brother married a foreign woman, would you want to sign the I-864 and be responsible for paying back those benefits? What if he receives Medicaid and it is for $100,000. Would you be okay with signing the I-864 and treat it as just a piece of paper?

What is the family relationship between your brother's family and this child? He's not your son. He is not related to them at all. Just because your wife married you, it doesn't mean your brother and his family have to put themselves at financial risk to help her - a stranger to them.

If my brother wants to bring his wife and her child to the US, I would give them money and food. But I would not put the financial future of my wife and kids at risk for them by signing the I-864 because I have no control over this child. If my brother got divorced, I would still be on the hook. If this child runs up the bills by using means tested benefits, I have no idea how deep a financial hole I will be in. I bet if he needed medical attention - my brother and his wife would not hesitate to think about paying the bills as long as he got the medical attention he needed. If they can't pay the bills, guess who the US government can come after? That's right the I-864 Joint Sponsor.

I think you and your wife needs to look at things from your brother and his wife's perspective. Why should they put their financial lives at risk for a child they don't know?

If you and your wife ask them to sign the I-864, then they can accept or decline. If you and your wife expects them to sign it, then you are demanding that they sign it. It's not asking - it's telling them what to do.

Very well said and I agree....

[san diego 407]

You guys are missing the point.....we dont need the money!!!! She has a job,unfortunatly it pays cash(chinese restaurant)

Even if job pays cash you can show it on your tax return. Waiters/waitresses as well as other cash-extensive occupations required to show their cash income on the tax return. Thus, this is not your brother's fault. I understand him - he would be on the hook for many years. You may get divorced, your wife and her son may apply for benefits and it is done - his family financial future is down the drain. This is your problem: if you and your wife showed cash on the tax return and paid taxes as law-abiding citizens you would not have a problem showing sufficient income. You chose tax-evasion route and you are just paying for it. If I was you I would apologize to your brother. He did the right thing. Family is the most important part o your life...

[jaycali 415]

USCIS is not going to rely on us multiplying any number by 125%.

HAHA. I guess that would significantly increase their workload.

Edited February 22, 2012 by jhsm85

[Inyang Loves Dee 2]

Sorry about your situation, but the I-864 is not just another piece of paper. It is analogous to co-signing a loan - a potentially unlimited amount that the Joint Sponsor would be on the hook for. Look up all the horror stories on this forum from people who regret signing the I-864. If your wife's son receives any means tested benefits, your Joint Sponsor would be on the hook for paying it back. If your brother married a foreign woman, would you want to sign the I-864 and be responsible for paying back those benefits? What if he receives Medicaid and it is for $100,000. Would you be okay with signing the I-864 and treat it as just a piece of paper?

What is the family relationship between your brother's family and this child? He's not your son. He is not related to them at all. Just because your wife married you, it doesn't mean your brother and his family have to put themselves at financial risk to help her - a stranger to them.

If my brother wants to bring his wife and her child to the US, I would give them money and food. But I would not put the financial future of my wife and kids at risk for them by signing the I-864 because I have no control over this child. If my brother got divorced, I would still be on the hook. If this child runs up the bills by using means tested benefits, I have no idea how deep a financial hole I will be in. I bet if he needed medical attention - my brother and his wife would not hesitate to think about paying the bills as long as he got the medical attention he needed. If they can't pay the bills, guess who the US government can come after? That's right the I-864 Joint Sponsor.

I think you and your wife needs to look at things from your brother and his wife's perspective. Why should they put their financial lives at risk for a child they don't know?

If you and your wife ask them to sign the I-864, then they can accept or decline. If you and your wife expects them to sign it, then you are demanding that they sign it. It's not asking - it's telling them what to do.

WOW! THANK YOU for enlightening me on being a Co-Sponsor, I WASN'T AWARE of ALL THAT APPLIES (I was suppose to be a Co-Sponsor for my girlfriend's husband, who she met through me). I know now that I will not complete the I-864 for her OR ANYONE ELSE that ask me. "KNOWLEDGE is POWER!" Thank you again for that VALUABLE information.

[RobbyUSA 26]

Not really. USCIS will look at a sudden deposit of money used to satisfy the I-864 with skepticism. USCIS will suspect that the money is not a gift but a loan disguised as a gift to meet the I-864 obligations.

I would suggest them to save up the money that is needed.

it may take years though.

otherwise.... you may have to move to China to be with her.

[RobbyUSA 26]

WOW! THANK YOU for enlightening me on being a Co-Sponsor, I WASN'T AWARE of ALL THAT APPLIES (I was suppose to be a Co-Sponsor for my girlfriend's husband, who she met through me). I know now that I will not complete the I-864 for her OR ANYONE ELSE that ask me. "KNOWLEDGE is POWER!" Thank you again for that VALUABLE information.

yes.... you must do whats best for your self.... forget about other people.

[dmac7758 0]

I would suggest them to save up the money that is needed.

it may take years though.

otherwise.... you may have to move to China to be with her.

OMG!! We dont need any money and my wife lives with me in America....not China.

[dmac7758 0]

Even if job pays cash you can show it on your tax return. Waiters/waitresses as well as other cash-extensive occupations required to show their cash income on the tax return. Thus, this is not your brother's fault. I understand him - he would be on the hook for many years. You may get divorced, your wife and her son may apply for benefits and it is done - his family financial future is down the drain. This is your problem: if you and your wife showed cash on the tax return and paid taxes as law-abiding citizens you would not have a problem showing sufficient income. You chose tax-evasion route and you are just paying for it. If I was you I would apologize to your brother. He did the right thing. Family is the most important part o your life...

We actually included her income for 2011 tax return. Remember,this decision from Guangzhou was based on 2010's tax return.She did not work in 2010.I am waiting a reply from Guangzhou to see if I can re-submit using 2011 and alleviate any problems with finding a co-sponsor.Thanks.

[Sugarz.K.R 9]

LOLLLL

1) His wife LIVES in AMERICA with him (husband & wife lives in America together)

2) his wife works in a Chinese RESTURANT in AMERICA (where after she goes home to HIM Every day)

3) they are trying to get their child (yes he's urs to buddy) to AMERICA.

Husband/step dad lives in America

Wife/Mother lives in America

Son/Step son lives NOT IN AMERICA.

Did i help u clarify dmac7758?

LOLLLL I felt to say OMG to after reading the replies.

[Boiler 45,558]

Income on tax returns is not the determing factor.

[dmac7758 0]

LOLLLL

1) His wife LIVES in AMERICA with him (husband & wife lives in America together)

2) his wife works in a Chinese RESTURANT in AMERICA (where after she goes home to HIM Every day)

3) they are trying to get their child (yes he's urs to buddy) to AMERICA.

Husband/step dad lives in America

Wife/Mother lives in America

Son/Step son lives NOT IN AMERICA.

Did i help u clarify dmac7758?

LOLLLL I felt to say OMG to after reading the replies.

LoL........I coul'nt have said it any better. Thanks!

[Darnell 8,478]

Actually - unless the immigrants income continues once they come to the US, it can't be used for the I-864.

(Since it appears she is still in China - I would think this falls under that).

I would also imagine he didn't report his wifes income on his taxes.

However, the immigrants assets can be used.

she's been in usa most of 2011, and the son is the one at GUZ IV, not the wife.

[Darnell 8,478]

Even if job pays cash you can show it on your tax return. Waiters/waitresses as well as other cash-extensive occupations required to show their cash income on the tax return. Thus, this is not your brother's fault. I understand him - he would be on the hook for many years. You may get divorced, your wife and her son may apply for benefits and it is done - his family financial future is down the drain. This is your problem: if you and your wife showed cash on the tax return and paid taxes as law-abiding citizens you would not have a problem showing sufficient income. You chose tax-evasion route and you are just paying for it. If I was you I would apologize to your brother. He did the right thing. Family is the most important part o your life...

Yup, 2011 seemed a year of tax evasion for the wife. This 'pay under the table' stuff at a Chinese Resturant is troublesome, with one of the final end results being a huge problem to show income on the I-864 for the child,

hence the blue slip.

ouch.