I-944 when you're just plain broke

[martha783 12]

Okay, not really, but we have a bunch of kids, and we hit about 75% of the poverty guideline in 2019. Part of why we're moving to the U.S. to work! 

 

I filed without i-944 but filed my father as a joint sponsor, at well over 250% of the guideline. He's literally our sponsor in that he has been putting a roof over our head since for pandemic reasons we had to come with my husband on a B2 and AOS. As soon as he can work here, we'll be fine, but in the meantime, what happens when I fill out the I-944 NOT meeting the requirement? I know it says it's not a litmus test, but what actual cases shed light on how they are applying this form versus the joint sponsor form to determine public charge risk?

 

We own a home in a foreign country, but with the pandemic lockdown there, there is virtually no way  to fulfill this requirement:

"If you wish to include the net value of your or your household member’s home, then you must include documentation demonstrating that you or the household member owns it, a recent appraisal by a licensed appraiser, and evidence of the amount of all loans secured by a mortgage, trust deed, or other lien on the home"

And I think our equity would probably squeeze us into 125% territory, but I'm not sure if it's worth delaying the entire application (and his ability to work!) to wait for whenever the lockdown would permit that documentation to be obtained (if it ever will be possible without us having to GO and get it, which we can't due because of lockdown and because of immigration status!).

 

Should we somehow mention that we own the home, copy of the mortgage, or simple current statement on the mortgage and explain why we can't meet the full asset requirements on it?

 

 

Input much appreciated!

 

 

 

 

[pablo2752 106]

I-944 doesn't have strict requirements - its supposed to judge your self reliance based on multiple factors: your education, asset, language skills, employment history etc etc. 

Because this form is quite new, we don't really know enough how they are assessed. 

[martha783 12]

I know we're just now a year into its use, but so far, no known rejections based on public charge evaluation?