amsdon

Does anyone have personal experience w/ this? What can you tell me about being an american sponsor for an individual appllying for residency in USA?
I appreciate any first hand experience please.

Keith

In the late '70s, my Sunday school class sponsored several families from Vietnam. My personal involvement was limited to doing some driving of one of the families to government offices, job interviews and shopping.

It was a rewarding experience, though the family I worked with ended up moving to a warmer climate. They didn't like the winters in Lansing, Michigan.

One funny thing. They invited my wife and me to their home for a meal to thank us. When we arrived there, the dining room was set with just two place settings. We weren't there to eat with them, but to have a meal they had prepared just for us.

Keith

Placename

There are multiple types of immigration visas out there. Can you be more specific about the type of visa involved ( for example: marriage, work, refugee)?

nytraveler

Sponsoship can involve a huge amount of financial responsibility (as in guaranteeing they are self-supporting or you will suppor them) - so you need to get a whole lot more information about this.

I would find out the person's legal status the type of sponsorship they ar looking for - and contact the sate department to get full details.

Dayenu

Somebody was our sponsor, we in turn were sponsoring others. For immigrants from former USSR one must be a close relative to send a visa, then anybody with money can sign a sponsorship affidavit.

Depending on the type of their visa, you may get in trouble, I've heard stories of people overstaying their guest visas, getting into hospitals, then going home leaving the sponsor to pay off.

It all depends on how well you know the person coming to the US and how much risk is involved. Is the person coming on a student visa? Will s/he has permission to work part-time? How much is expected from you? If the person of working age if coming permanently? How is his/her health? How is his/her English?

amsdon

Thank you all, I have recieved a link from the people making the arrangements
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

You all are correct & have valid points. I wish I could do this since my own family came here as exiles, I feel a tug of responsibiliy. This is not a situation though that I can honestly do at the moment due to finances and also medical reason myself. I know you are saying... what was she even thinking...but these are nice people and the father has already worked in the USA 10 years so he does not need a sponsor, just the wife and 21 yr old daughter.
Still since anything can happen I will have to decline. Thanks for the replies I do appreciate them.

LoveItaly

Hello amsdon, I just read your thread and was going to suggest that you make an appointment with an immigration attorney but you obviously have found the information that you needed. Yes, sponsering an immigrant does mean you take on a financial responsibility if "something" happens and the person you sponser suddenly needs financial assistance. I am sorry that it doesn't work out for you and them but at the same time I am glad that you know your limitations as to what you can do to help. And many good thoughts that your medical problems will be resolved and that you will once again feel healthy.

amsdon

Thanks loveItaly, I have been very fortunate and on the road to recovery ...actually hopeing clear of the dog-gone cancer(s) (early stage) that hit me in the last two years.
But lukily we did travel in Oct to our beloved España just after radiation and did just great. ...maye I'll post a report sometime.

You are always so kind.