|
Size of Household
|
48 Contiguous
|
|
|
|
125% of Poverty Line (U.S. dollars)
|
|||
|
2
|
20,025
|
25,025
|
23,037
|
|
3
|
25,200
|
31,500 |
28,987
|
|
4
|
30,375
|
37,975
|
34,937
|
|
5
|
35,550
|
44,450
|
40,887
|
|
6
|
40,725
|
50,925
|
46,837 |
|
7
|
45,912
|
57,400
|
52,787
|
|
8
|
51,112
|
63,900 |
58,762
|
|
|
Add $5,200 for each additional person
|
Add $6,500 for each additional person
|
Add $5,975 for each additional person
|
If the financial sponsors' income level is below the guidelines, the intending immigrant may be found to be inadmissible to the United States as a "public charge." Section 212(a)(4) of Immigration Act requires that family-based immigrants and the dependents of an employment-based immigrant must prove that they will not likely become a financial burden (public charge) to the U.S. society.
The I-864 Affidavit of Support form is used to determine if there is sufficient financial support for intending immigrants. The I-864 form turns out to be an extremely challenging document to handle. In fact, a good number of immigrant petitions are delayed or denied because of errors relating to the I-864 form. Normally, the petitioner must act as the sponsor. If the petitioner's income level is insufficient, a joint sponsor may provide additional financial support. Both petitioner and the beneficiary may also use their assets such as real estate, stocks, bonds, cash, etc., to meet the I-864 requirements.
For last year's poverty guidelines, check out our previous blog entry.
