Avoid These 3 Green Card Sponsorship Mistakes

If you’re trying to sponsor someone for a green card, there are a few things you should know. Otherwise, you could be in for some nasty surprises later.

First, recognize you can only sponsor immediate relatives, your husband or wife, or your fiancé. Employers can sponsor people for a green card too, but that’s a different post.

Second, recognize green card awards aren’t automatic. You’ll have to apply. And as the sponsor, you’ll have to meet certain requirements.

#1) Failing to Understand Affidavit of Support

To be a sponsor you must be willing to warrant via affidavit that you are capable of supporting whomever you’re trying to sponsor. The government wants to ensure the recipient won’t have to use any public assistance.

A lot of people get tripped up here when they try to bring elderly parents over from other countries. They don’t realize their parents won’t have access to Medicare like elderly Americans do.

Make sure you can afford to buy private health insurance for your family members. Otherwise you could be one financial disaster away from ruin.

#2) Committing Marriage Fraud

The government is more skeptical of marriages than you might believe. Don’t ever fake a marriage just to help someone stay in the country.

There are dozens of ways UCSIS can check for a fraudulent marriage. They’ll be asking if your fiancé has met your parents, and if you’ve met his or hers. They might produce a request for evidence that shows other elements of a bonafide marriage.

And if you get divorce later, they will have questions, especially if the divorce is soon after the application is completed.

See also: 5 Things Same-Sex Couples Should Know About Immigration.

#3) Failure to Disclose

Make sure you fill out the applications completely, to the best of your ability. Don’t “forget” to add things you think might work against you.

Have you heard “the cover-up is worse than the crime?” That’s true with UCSIS too. The temptation is easy to understand in this tough immigration climate, but you’re just setting yourself up for legal problems later.

See also: What You Need to Know About “Good Moral Character” In Your Immigration Case.

Need help with a green card application?

Whether you’re seeking a green card for yourself or someone else, it pays to have an experienced immigration lawyer on your side. Contact Hykel Law today.

With our office’s help, you will find the entire immigration process easier, and will be able to navigate around the pitfalls that keep so many people from success.