Asked to help co-sponsor a K-1, but need to fill out I-864

[nadia&sameer 12]

Hi everyone,

I have a stupid question that I feel I should already know the answer to, but want to make sure I'm right. I have been asked by someone to co-sponsor him for a k-1 visa. His fiancée has just finished school and is currently unemployed. I said I would help at first because it was just supposed to be for the K-1 then she would either be working to sponsor him on her own at time of AOS or they would find someone else to sponsor him at that time. But now I see that I have to fill out the I-864 not the I-134 that I was expecting. So I'm now thinking I would be legally responsible for this man until he becomes a citizen or for whomever knows how long. Is my thinking correct? I really want to help him, but do not know his fiancée at all. The fact that she has no job, is getting government assistance, and does not seem willing to take a couple of minimum wage jobs to meet the min. requirement to sponsor him herself worries me. Any guidance would be appreciated.

[Ontarkie 14,221]

I think this is where you should listen to your gut.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

I suggest you read this thread:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/522653-co-sponsors-responsibility-after-filing-ch-13-bankruptcy/#entry7341188

Personally, I would never co-sponsor for anyone (except my own family members)

Although it is always mentioned that the Govt hardly goes after the co-sponsors for any benefits the beneficiary received, I would not want to have the uncertainties/fear hanging over me constantly.

If the US citizen fiancee isn't making the effort to meet the financial requirement, do you think their marriage will last long?

Love does not survive on fresh air alone.

[Zedayn 485]

Hi everyone,

I have a stupid question that I feel I should already know the answer to, but want to make sure I'm right. I have been asked by someone to co-sponsor him for a k-1 visa. His fiancée has just finished school and is currently unemployed. I said I would help at first because it was just supposed to be for the K-1 then she would either be working to sponsor him on her own at time of AOS or they would find someone else to sponsor him at that time. But now I see that I have to fill out the I-864 not the I-134 that I was expecting. So I'm now thinking I would be legally responsible for this man until he becomes a citizen or for whomever knows how long. Is my thinking correct? I really want to help him, but do not know his fiancée at all. The fact that she has no job, is getting government assistance, and does not seem willing to take a couple of minimum wage jobs to meet the min. requirement to sponsor him herself worries me. Any guidance would be appreciated.

For this reason I would not agree to be a co-sponsor.

If the petitioner wants her fiancé to be with her, then she needs to put forth the effort to make it happen. SHE needs to make it happen, not you.

[fbragasilva88 17]

I would never do it if not for a family member too!

[nadia&sameer 12]

Thanks for everyone's comments. I guess I had just been under the impression that co-sponsoring for a K1 was only valid for as long as the K1was good for and then they would have to do an I-864 when adjusting status which gets me off the hook, but apparently that is not the case anymore.

[Sayed Iqbal 3]

U r responsible only to that time he is getting green card, green card is taking maximum 6 months dear, dnd worry, if she is ur friend then u dnd need to worry, just help ur friend in hard time :-)

[JohnR! 5,495]

In all fairness, in her current financial predicament, marriage should be the last thing on her mind. Having said that, to each his own, but I believe you'd be enabling bad behavior, rather than helping her, by signing the affidavit. Just my judgmental 2-cent worth.

Hi everyone,

I have a stupid question that I feel I should already know the answer to, but want to make sure I'm right. I have been asked by someone to co-sponsor him for a k-1 visa. His fiancée has just finished school and is currently unemployed. I said I would help at first because it was just supposed to be for the K-1 then she would either be working to sponsor him on her own at time of AOS or they would find someone else to sponsor him at that time. But now I see that I have to fill out the I-864 not the I-134 that I was expecting. So I'm now thinking I would be legally responsible for this man until he becomes a citizen or for whomever knows how long. Is my thinking correct? I really want to help him, but do not know his fiancée at all. The fact that she has no job, is getting government assistance, and does not seem willing to take a couple of minimum wage jobs to meet the min. requirement to sponsor him herself worries me. Any guidance would be appreciated.

Edited March 6, 2015 by JohnR!

[Merrytooth 5,748]

U r responsible only to that time he is getting green card, green card is taking maximum 6 months dear, dnd worry, if she is ur friend then u dnd need to worry, just help ur friend in hard time :-)

You are wrong.

The person/people who signed the I-864 are "on the hook" for YEARS. Not just while the GC is processing.

The I-864 affidavit is enforceable until specific conditions are met:

1. The immigrant becomes a US citizen.

2. The immigrant loses their permanent resident status and leaves the United States.

3. The immigrant can be credited with 40 quarters of work credits via Social Security.

4. Either the immigrant or the sponsor dies (the sponsor's estate can be levied for prior liabilities).

Perhaps, OP could introduce you to his friend so that you can be the co-sponsor instead.

[Sayed Iqbal 3]

I am not talking at point of Singapore, I am talking at point of Pakistan, where people's always help in bad time of friends & I am sure she will not help b/c she is taking advice from u guys about her friend, if u trust friend, help her, if u dnd trust, it's okay but dnd take advice from strange peoples

[Sayed Iqbal 3]

:-)

[nadia&sameer 12]

You are wrong.

The person/people who signed the I-864 are "on the hook" for YEARS. Not just while the GC is processing.

The I-864 affidavit is enforceable until specific conditions are met:

1. The immigrant becomes a US citizen.

2. The immigrant loses their permanent resident status and leaves the United States.

3. The immigrant can be credited with 40 quarters of work credits via Social Security.

4. Either the immigrant or the sponsor dies (the sponsor's estate can be levied for prior liabilities).

Perhaps, OP could introduce you to his friend so that you can be the co-sponsor instead.

Yes, that is what I thought. I had been under the impression that I would be filling out an I-134 which essentially means nothing, but when I found out it was the I-864 I realized I cannot afford to sponsor someone as I am already sponsoring my husband.

[milimelo 4,477]

I am not talking at point of Singapore, I am talking at point of Pakistan, where people's always help in bad time of friends & I am sure she will not help b/c she is taking advice from u guys about her friend, if u trust friend, help her, if u dnd trust, it's okay but dnd take advice from strange peoples

Right. You seem to have some misconceptions on how I-864 works and for how long it's in effect.

Based on what the OP has written, regardless of the immigrant's place of origin, I would not become a joint sponsor while the main sponsor is doing nothing to get a job(s) and is on government assistance (no idea for how long already and for how much longer).

[nadia&sameer 12]

I am not talking at point of Singapore, I am talking at point of Pakistan, where people's always help in bad time of friends & I am sure she will not help b/c she is taking advice from u guys about her friend, if u trust friend, help her, if u dnd trust, it's okay but dnd take advice from strange peoples

I understand what you are saying, but I have never met either of these people in person. The fact that his fiance is not willing to get a job scares me. How will they live? I do not make enough money to support a man I have never met. If neither are working I could be on the hook to support him when I can barely support my own family. Inshallah they will just wait a little bit until his fiancee gets a job and can sponsor him herself, or if she's not going to work in USA then she could move to live with him in Pakistan and he can support her there. Maybe you would be willing to sponsor him?

[Sayed Iqbal 3]

U use friend word there4 I said that, if u did not met person or dnd wanna help, it's okay, I am sorry but u can't sponsor 2 persons at one time, it's better that u sponsor ur husband & that's it......inshAllah if my friend will need my help, I will....