Divorced family: Which child should file petition for Dad?

[quangmsc 0]

Hello All,

I'm helping my uncle in Vietnam doing the immigration paperwork here. After his divorce in Vietnam, the older daughter lives with him, and the younger daughter lives with his ex-wife. A few years later, his ex-wife family sponsored 3 people (his ex-wife, the two daughters) to come to reside in the US. Now both daughters have become US citizen with new names. I guess it doesn't matter which daughter is doing the paperwork to sponsor the Dad (my uncle). But I'm posting the question for inputs from you gurus. Thanks a lot.

Edited July 6, 2021 by quangmsc

[JeanneAdil 6,610]

i would think the daughter whom he will live with and/or has the income to support the father

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

The obvious answer is the more financially stable one, but it doesn’t really matter as long as either can sponsor him, and assuming he is listed on both birth certificates etc. 

[quangmsc 0]

Thanks. I'm the one who will financially sponsor him. He's listed on both birth certs.

[Marieke H 2,523]

8 minutes ago, quangmsc said:

Thanks. I'm the one who will financially sponsor him. He's listed on both birth certs.

You can be a joint sponsor, but the petitioner will be the main sponsor. So it looks better if the most financially stable daughter petitions him.

[quangmsc 0]

1 minute ago, Marieke H said:

You can be a joint sponsor, but the petitioner will be the main sponsor. So it looks better if the most financially stable daughter petitions him.

Thanks. I'll discuss with both daughters. The older daughter, who was with him after the split,  is currently sponsoring her husband to come over the US and ironically I'm the joint sponsor in that case financially, too.

[Marieke H 2,523]

2 minutes ago, quangmsc said:

Thanks. I'll discuss with both daughters. The older daughter, who was with him after the split,  is currently sponsoring her husband to come over the US and ironically I'm the joint sponsor in that case financially, too.

If she is already sponsoring another immigrant and needs a joint sponsor for that, I don't think she would be a good candidate to sponsor her father as well. Hopefully the other daughter will be able to petition.

[quangmsc 0]

I think so, too. I'll check with the other daughter. 

[carmel34 3,650]

1 hour ago, quangmsc said:

ironically I'm the joint sponsor in that case financially, too.

Keep in mind that Part 5 of the I-864 requires that you list the other people you have sponsored via other I-864s, those people will be included in your total household size.  So be sure your income is sufficient to cover everyone, if not, another joint sponsor might be a good idea.  Good luck!