Immigration: The New Affidavit of Support - Questions, Answers, and Issues


 

Publication Date: December 1997

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Population and demographics

Type:

Abstract:

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has issued the new affidavit of support form required by 1996 immigration and welfare legislation. This is a legally binding contract with new income and reimbursement requirements to be signed by U.S. sponsors of immigrants. Its purpose is to satisfy the immigration law requirement that immigrants establish they are not likely to become a public charge; and to make sponsors financially responsible for sponsored immigrants. It must be used by immigrants applying for immigrant status on the basis of a family relationship beginning December 19, 1997.1