Financial Sponsors of Florida Immigrants: Are You Responsible?

If you have a relative who wants to emigrate to the United States, you might be eager to help them in any way you can. The most obvious option is to sponsor their immigration application for a family-based visa. But are you aware of the financial responsibilities associated with this type of visa? Could you become financially responsible for your relative if they struggle after arriving in Florida? This is something you might want to discuss with a Palm Beach Gardens immigration lawyer.

The Logic Behind Financial Sponsorship

Why does the government even require you to become a financial sponsor, anyway? The answer is simple: The government does not want your relative to go on welfare. If they arrive without the necessary funds to support themselves, they may immediately become a taxpayer burden. They’ll have to receive food stamps, go on supplemental security income (SSI), and generally take advantage of as many government programs as possible. This is obviously an outcome the government wants to avoid.

The solution is to have you take on the financial responsibility of supporting your relative instead. This is why every family-based visa application must include a financial sponsor. This is usually the same person petitioning on behalf of the applicant, such as their spouse or adult child. In order to financially sponsor your relative, you’ll need to prove you have the necessary wealth. This usually involves showing your most recent tax return and proving you earn 125% of the federal poverty level. Alternatively, you could prove that you have enough assets to support your relative, regardless of your income.

What Happens if My Relative Becomes Destitute After Arriving in the United States?

So what happens if your relative becomes destitute after arriving in the United States? Perhaps they will struggle to find a job. Maybe they’ll suffer some kind of disability that makes them unable to work. Perhaps they will struggle with addiction, crime, or some other kind of issue.

It is important to realize that if you agree to be someone’s financial sponsor, you become responsible for supporting them financially. The immigrant cannot simply turn to the government for financial assistance, and you will be their first line of defense if they can’t pay their bills. An affidavit of support (a requirement for all family-based visa applications) compels you to pay your relative’s bills.

This responsibility may last for up to a decade, or even for the rest of the immigrant’s life. You should know that if you’re sponsoring your spouse, they can divorce you and still receive this financial support from you.

Can a Palm Beach Gardens Immigration Lawyer Help Me?

A Palm Beach Gardens immigration lawyer may be able to help if you’re planning on sponsoring your relative’s application for a green card. Before you begin this process, you should be aware of your responsibilities as a financial sponsor. While many relatives can easily carry this burden, paying your relative’s bills could be more challenging than you realize. Consider speaking with The Devore Law Group for more information about this complex subject.

Sources: 

theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/oct/02/trump-immigration-family-separations-deportations

uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/affidavit-of-support