Affidavit of Support

[Anonymous]

I was just curious if anyone knew about the Affidavit of Support regarding immigration.  My brother in law who has lived in the states since he was a baby asked if I could help him get his citizenship by filling out an I864 Affidavit of Support.  The sponsorship is to show that he will not be a burden or rely on the government while here in the states.  Does anybody know if this will affect my credit score?  Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

It should not affect your score at all as it is not reported to the CRAs. 

[RobertEG]

I basically agree, but with some caution.  I have been through this, both as a sponsor, and now, as the spouse of a  legal resident alien.  It is a serous legal document.

Form I-864 is a Dept of Homeland Security (INS) form related to a sponsor's guarantee of financial support for an alien seeking permanent residency status.  It is a legal contract, not just a form requesting information.  It is not, per se, reported to a CRA.  It is not, when executed, a documenet that realtes directly to credit reporting.

However, it does establish legal  financial ties with the immigrant, so be careful if you sign this form  that you, as the sponsor, monitor and try to limit any credit transactions that the immigrant may enter into that could lead to credit oblgations on your part.. Dont, dont, dont, enter into any accounts with you and the immigrant as joint parties.  No immediate FICO impact now.  Just be sure that the finances of the immigrant dont lead to potential obligtions in the future that could lead to one legally seeking your assets, with possible reporting of those activities to a CRA.  It could happen. 

Here is what is stated about I-864 within the posted instructions for DHS Form I 864:

"How Is This Form Used?

This form is a contract between a sponsor and the U.S.Government. Completing and signing this form makes you the sponsor. You must show on this form that you have enough income and/or assets to maintain the intending immigrant(s) and the rest of your household at 125 percent ofthe Federal Poverty Guidelines. By signing Form I-864, you are agreeing to use your resources to support the intending immigrant(s) named in this form, if it becomes necessary.

The submission of this form may make the sponsored immigrant ineligible for certain Federal, State, or local means-tested public benefits, because an agency that provides means-tested public benefits will consider your resources and assets as available to the sponsored immigrant in determining his orher eligibility for the program." 

I, personally, would not enter into any such affidavit of support without first consulting with my own legal counsel, with my rights protected.