Oppose Proposed Rule That Attacks Family-Based Immigration

October 29, 2020

A proposed rule is aimed at making it more difficult for US citizens and permanent residents to sponsor an immigrant, and thus more difficult for potential immigrants to get green cards and eventually, citizenship. 

An affidavit of support is a form a sponsor must sign to accept financial responsibility for the intending immigrant (the applicant who is applying for a green card). The sponsor must show the US government that they have the income and/or assets to support the intending immigrant. The sponsor’s income must be at least 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, according to the size of the household.

The proposed rule adds many requirements for sponsors, including: 

  • Requiring sponsors to submit three years of tax returns, bank account information, credit scores, and credit reports, while currently they just have to submit one year of tax returns;

  • No longer including the sponsor’s adult or married children, parents, or siblings in their income;

  • Requiring sponsors to find a joint sponsor if the sponsor used a federal means-tested benefit within the last three years.

Comment against the rule and explain why this rule may discourage or even disqualify people from sponsoring family members for green cards, especially low- and moderate-income households. Explain how that will hurt our communities.

Comments are due before midnight on November 2.

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