Legal Question in Immigration Law in Massachusetts

I am a US Citizen petitioning for my father to get a green card. I have to sign an affidavit of support, but have no income whatsoever. I have a co-sponsor who will sign as well, who does have the resources. I want to know if he were ever to need government paid medical care, apply for social services, etc, if I would be liable to pay all of it?? If something this bad were to happen would they go first to the co-signer or me, the primary signer?

I want to know how much financial responsibility I am taking on when signing this affidavit of support, and if something were to go wrong and he needed government help, how it would affect my future income.


Asked on 12/10/10, 1:04 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Dianne Brooks The Mandel Law Firm

That is a complex question because even U.S. citizen children of U.S. citizen parents can become liable for medicaid benefits, or at least have to pay a certain amount before benefits are given. By signing the affidavit of support you are promising that you won't let your father become a "public charge" so it is possible that you would be responsible for the repayment of some government benefits.

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Answered on 12/16/10, 11:19 am


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