What are the risks and liabilities?
It is important to note that an Affidavit of Support is a legally binding contract, and therefore you commit to accepting all associated legal responsibilities until the immigrant:
- becomes a U.S. citizen
- earns 40 work quarters credited toward social security
- dies or permanently leaves the U.S.
This is one of the potential risks of sponsoring an immigrant that could have a serious impact on your legal and financial status. For example, if you sponsor your spouse, your contract and all associated financial liabilities will remain intact even after a divorce.
A common question potential sponsors have is “Does sponsoring an immigrant affect buying a house?” In general, an Affidavit of Support won’t impact your credit score, and therefore shouldn’t affect your ability to obtain a mortgage. However, it’s important to consider how the monetary risks may impact your overall financial situation.
