Legal Question in Immigration Law in California

If your situation is what I believe it to be, he's asking you to sign an I-864 Affidavit of Support form which is basically a contract between you and the U.S. government obligating you in the event your brother in law (and possibly his other family members too) requires public assistance in the U.S. The obligation ends with your death, his death or if he were to work 40 quarters (10 years) in the U.S., he abandons his permanent resident or when he becomes a U.S. citizen (after five years). So, it's a serious commitment though mostly there is not fallout to sponsors as most aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence don't face significant support issues so as to require the kind of support that triggers the obligation.

If you require more information or representation, I would be happy to assist. Visit me at http://www.yardum-hunter.com, write to me at [email protected] or call me at 818 609 1953.

Best Regards,

Alice M. Yardum-Hunter, Attorney at Law, Certified Specialist, Immigration & Nationality Law, State Bar of CA, Bd. of Legal Specialization, A "Super Lawyer", 2004-2009, Los Angeles Magazine