Sponsoring an immigrant is a meaningful process that allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents—also known as green card holders—to help foreign-born people secure lawful status in the United States. People can sponsor family members, employees, and others to help them get to the United States legally. Sponsorship is one way to help people begin their lives in the area.
However, sponsoring an immigrant in Newark is not something a person should take lightly. Sponsors take on significant obligations for those that they sponsor, and those obligations can outlast personal relationships. For example, people who sponsor their fiancées or spouses may have obligations that last even if they break up or divorce. A dedicated immigration attorney could help you understand the sponsorship process, its requirements, and the obligations it entails.
The United States requires immigrants to get sponsors to ensure that the immigrants will not be a drain on the federal, state, or local governments. The sponsor’s role is to assure the U.S. government that the immigrant will not rely on public assistance. The requirements vary based on the type of sponsorship but generally include providing financial support if the immigrant is unable to sustain themselves.
This financial obligation can be substantial. The sponsor’s income must be at least 125 percent of the annual poverty level to sponsor a person. The sponsorship period can last 10 years or until the person becomes a citizen, which is a lengthy obligation. A potential sponsor should discuss those obligations with a Newark attorney before making that commitment.
There are several different types of sponsors, and each one plays a different role in the Newark immigration process.
Family sponsorships are one of the most common ways for immigrants to obtain lawful status. U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents can sponsor certain family members—usually spouses, children, parents, and siblings. Citizens can sponsor a variety of family members, while legal permanent residents are limited to spouses and their unmarried children.
Financial co-sponsors can help other people sponsor an immigrant. If a primary sponsor’s financial situation does not meet the requirements set by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a co-sponsor can step in to provide additional financial backing. Co-sponsors—usually family friends or extended family members—sign a secondary Affidavit of Support to guarantee they will financially support the immigrant if the primary sponsor cannot.
Sponsors do not need a personal or business relationship with immigrants to sponsor them. Refugees or asylum seekers may also benefit from sponsorship. These sponsors usually are charities, churches, and other non-profits that help asylum seekers. The process for sponsoring an asylum seeker is different from other types of sponsorship because of humanitarian considerations.
An immigration attorney could provide invaluable help with sponsoring an immigrant in Newark. They can help you assess eligibility requirements, navigate complex paperwork, ensure you meet financial requirements, and represent you in the sponsorship appeals process, if necessary.
Lawyers could also ensure that you understand the process. For family sponsorship, there are often sensitive issues that can impact how people approach the process. The Law Office of Eric M. Mark could ensure that you understand all of the potential pros and cons of sponsoring a family member, plus help you manage expectations about things like the timeline for the process. By having a better understanding of what it involves, you can make an informed decision regarding the process. Schedule a consultation at our firm to learn more.
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