A quick question - Is this legal?

[WheresMyLawyer 0]

I'm wondering if this is legal, as if it is not I will cease communication with them.  About two weeks ago I spoke to an immigration lawyer who said he could find me a join-sponsor for a "small fee" as I'm having trouble finding one for my marriage in California.

 

I'm bringing a girl in from abroad, I am a U.S. citizen but broke my back not too long ago and am in the process of figuring out if I qualify for SSDI etc. so thought in the mean time I'd get married but I have a very small family, I'm left to a couple of aunts I haven't spoken to in 30+ years so suddenly showing up asking "hey will you sponsor this random girl in for me?" may not be looked upon favorably.

 

So as I heard the immigration lawyer tell me this, I felt a rush of relief but the more I think about it I am worrying if it's legit / legal etc.  If it's a standard practice then great, if it's sketchy I'm back to square one unfortunately.  Thanks for looking!

[EmilyW 1,508]

This sounds scammy.  The joint sponsor is supposed to ensure that the immigrant will not become a public burden.  If they ask 'how do you know this sponsor', and you reply 'Well, my lawyer found a sponsor who I don't know, and I paid them $500 to be a joint sponsor', that won't look good, IMO, and won't create the sense of comfort needed to assure them that WE (taxpayers) won't end up having to pay for her.

 

I think it's worth you making sure that you have the financial capability to support her.  Take your time figuring out your income, expenses, future earnings etc.  And then sponsor her with confidence.

Edited 8 hours ago by EmilyW

[Dashinka 24,712]

I agree with @EmilyW, this sounds very much like a scam.  You have time, establish and stabilize your financial situation, work with your friends and close acquaintances and see where things end up.

 

Good Luck!  

[OldUser 7,237]

More importantly, is lawyer searchable on https://www.ailalawyer.com/?

 

If not, maybe they're not an immigration lawyer? This offer would break my trust in this person. I wouldn't file a case with them. 

Edited 3 hours ago by OldUser

[Boiler 45,903]

Perhaps the Lawyer is charging a small fee, a joint Sponsor would want a large fee.

[wildbug100420 154]

8 hours ago, WheresMyLawyer said:

I'm wondering if this is legal, as if it is not I will cease communication with them.  About two weeks ago I spoke to an immigration lawyer who said he could find me a join-sponsor for a "small fee" as I'm having trouble finding one for my marriage in California.

 

I'm bringing a girl in from abroad, I am a U.S. citizen but broke my back not too long ago and am in the process of figuring out if I qualify for SSDI etc. so thought in the mean time I'd get married but I have a very small family, I'm left to a couple of aunts I haven't spoken to in 30+ years so suddenly showing up asking "hey will you sponsor this random girl in for me?" may not be looked upon favorably.

 

So as I heard the immigration lawyer tell me this, I felt a rush of relief but the more I think about it I am worrying if it's legit / legal etc.  If it's a standard practice then great, if it's sketchy I'm back to square one unfortunately.  Thanks for looking!

The fact that an attorney is offering it sounds like a scam. That's not their job to locate a joint sponsor