I am not sure if this is the rite forum for this thread.
I want to know what could go wrong if you sign affidavit of support for someone ? Lets say if i was to sing it for a friends family, could it hurt me later ? what are things i shld ask myself before signing that.
Thanks for help.
Re: affidavit of support
Am I lying?
Re: affidavit of support
**depends which country are you in...here in Canada, it means that you will be responsible for supporting them financially for 10 years if they need assistance so they do NOT become burden on social welfare system.
if someone breaks that 'promise' to the Govt., the family/person can still get financial aid but the one who provided the affadavit and renegaded on it will NOT be allowed to EVER sponsor anyone else. so, it's a serious commitment and one should use it wisely.**
Re: affidavit of support
If this is for USCIS, It means that you will be responsible for paying the govt back if it comes to that. For instance, if the person is not making much money and they need to have medicaid, food stamps any of the govt related help programs you will get that bill and would have to pay that. The only question you need to ask yourself is if you see that happening. I have signed AOS for 4 families over the last 8 years but I havent had to pay anything yet.
Re: affidavit of support
I am not sure when will us desis (including myself) start taking affidavit seriously. Most of the time we dont take its legal binding seriously nor we think its morally and religious aspect.
Sign such thing if you REALLY want to support in case its required.
Re: affidavit of support
I am not sure when will us desis (including myself) start taking affidavit seriously. Most of the time we dont take its legal binding seriously nor we think its morally and religious aspect.
Sign such thing if you REALLY want to support in case its required.
Religiously and Morally I find it wrong to refuse my help if a Muslim brother or sister is in need. I shouldn't say no just becoz there are very little chances of same people screwing me up later.
Re: affidavit of support
Religiously and Morally I find it wrong to refuse my help if a Muslim brother or sister is in need. I shouldn't say no just becoz there are very little chances of same people screwing me up later.
it's NOT the question of "screwing up later" Bro. what happens if he is unable to support himself/his family, will you be able to finacially support the entire family? if you can then it's fine but most people think if it comes to that they will simply tell the Govt that they can NOT support due to their financial circumstances and THAT is wrong. it was his legal and moral obligation to fulfil his commitment.
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The place where i live doesnt have high percentage of educated Pakistani's. There are people who drive taxi and make more than me but because they dont claim that in tax return they end up showing as poor and unable to afford the family. Now they have to turn to someone with proper documentation showing he can afford the family to sponsor their family in Pakistan.
I dunt think these guys will ever have problems affording the family but what if they claim they cant afford the family hence need food stemps and e.t.c gov is gona turn to me and ask me to support em. If they are unable to support the family (for real) and i have tendency to support them i will, Inshallah. However what if the case is that guy is making more money than me but gov doesnt see that so he claims aid, that will effect me rite ?
Re: affidavit of support
The place where i live doesnt have high percentage of educated Pakistani's. There are people who drive taxi and make more than me but because they dont claim that in tax return they end up showing as poor and unable to afford the family. Now they have to turn to someone with proper documentation showing he can afford the family to sponsor their family in Pakistan.
I dunt think these guys will ever have problems affording the family but what if they claim they cant afford the family hence need food stemps and e.t.c gov is gona turn to me and ask me to support em. If they are unable to support the family (for real) and i have tendency to support them i will, Inshallah. However what if the case is that guy is making more money than me but gov doesnt see that so he claims aid, that will effect me rite ?
you shouldn't help someone who has already been cheating the system and he is taking full advantage of the fair system of taxation. i consider them the type of people who will screw their moHsins if there is a need and if it is beneficial to them...evading tax is cheating and dishonesty. how can you support a dishonest person?
well, having said all that, it's ur judgment to make a call...Good Luck :)
Re: affidavit of support
Religiously and Morally I find it wrong to refuse my help if a Muslim brother or sister is in need. I shouldn't say no just becoz there are very little chances of same people screwing me up later.
Religiously and Morally you should have INTENT TO HELP THEM IF NEEDED when you are signing and affidavit no matter how much are the chances. If you are ready by heart to take the responsibility, yeah sure why not?
Re: affidavit of support
Go ahead help those guys. Nothing bad will happen to you inshallah. I have done that for many even for those who were friend of a friend of a friend of a friend or some random guy I met in Masjid.
Re: affidavit of support
Religiously and Morally you should have INTENT TO HELP THEM IF NEEDED when you are signing and affidavit no matter how much are the chances. If you are ready by heart to take the responsibility, yeah sure why not?
Well its good to see if others had bad experiences. Rather than having a bad experience myself i want to learn from others. So being cautious before proceeding.
Go ahead help those guys. Nothing bad will happen to you inshallah. I have done that for many even for those who were friend of a friend of a friend of a friend or some random guy I met in Masjid.
Thanks thats comforting. Its my first time so i wanted to see little further hence i asked for help.
Thanks for help all three of you :)
Re: affidavit of support
Call me whatever but personally I see it from different prospective. I'd never help such person. He/She is already cheating the system or lying. You are simply going to help a criminal (yes tax fraud is a crime and has jail time almost in all countries). My blood boils when I see such people. I have to work my @$$ off for Govt to pay them subsidy on different things from food stamps to health system when most of them are making more than myself and just not declaring it.
Its very common here in Canada too and I don't differentiate b/w these types of cheaters and shop lifters or thieves.
The place where i live doesnt have high percentage of educated Pakistani's. There are people who drive taxi and make more than me but because they dont claim that in tax return they end up showing as poor and unable to afford the family. Now they have to turn to someone with proper documentation showing he can afford the family to sponsor their family in Pakistan.
I dunt think these guys will ever have problems affording the family but what if they claim they cant afford the family hence need food stemps and e.t.c gov is gona turn to me and ask me to support em. If they are unable to support the family (for real) and i have tendency to support them i will, Inshallah. However what if the case is that guy is making more money than me but gov doesnt see that so he claims aid, that will effect me rite ?
Re: affidavit of support
Call me whatever but personally I see it from different prospective. I'd never help such person. He/She is already cheating the system or lying. You are simply going to help a criminal (yes tax fraud is a crime and has jail time almost in all countries). My blood boils when I see such people. I have to work my @$$ off for Govt to pay them subsidy on different things from food stamps to health system when most of them are making more than myself and just not declaring it.
Its very common here in Canada too and I don't differentiate b/w these types of cheaters and shop lifters or thieves.
I respect ur views and i will call you brother :)
However i dunt consider them same. Probably becoz i worked under the table to avoid taxes myself for a little while. When you are paying 35k tution and paying your regular bills i think its valid for person to work under the table.
If he doesnt work for cash then he wont be able to pay phone, food and apt bil.
If he works normal then he wont get the Financial aid which way he will end up loosing more money for working.
Re: affidavit of support
if you are signing affidavit of support for immigration, you will liable for 5 years untill they become us citizen.
Re: affidavit of support
sorry but every single crime and criminal has 101 reasons to support the act.
Re: affidavit of support
Sometimes therez actually a big hole in the system. the biggest example is Social security in USA. I have been paying for SS for a while but i know am not getting it back ! Who is criminal in this act ?
Lemme add another example that really bothers me.
Back in 2007, i had to go to ER and i didnt have insurance, I was billed 20% of the expense and 80% was instantly taken off because i didnt have insurance. So I paid 20% which i didnt have to pay, i cud have worked around.
Anyway bottom line is i paid 20% to go to ER without insurance.
Now i pay 266 dollars every 4 weeks for insurance and yet when i go to ER i have to pay $ 100 first, $ 250 deductible and later on 20% coz insurance only pays 80%. Really funny !
Re: affidavit of support
This link should answer all your Q’s…but so far its been best answered by “us1415”.
http://www.usavisanow.com/marriage-green-card/marriage-green-card-faq/affidavit-of-support/
Well…you can’t just tell the government that the person is lying about their tax returns/assets. You have to PROVE it. When the government sues you (and yes, you will be sued if the govt. asks you for money and you don’t pay it), if you don’t want to pay the money, then you have to fight the lawsuit.
Also, keep in mind one thing…it’s not only the govt…the people you’re signing for…legally they can also sue you for money and claim that they don’t have money to suppor themselves.
So once sued… you’ll pretty much have 2 options:
Bottom line:
Sign the legal contract ONLY if you’d be willing to pay if the govt. comes after you. Otherwise, you’re just creating the potential for a lot of headaches in the future…specially if you’re already wondering what will happen IF the family lies about their income. (I gather from your post that you don’t even really know the people needing help…they’re a “friend’s family”). I completely understand wanting to help someone in need…but think seriously and consider the potential consequences to your future finances before you sign a legal contract with the U.S. government on behalf of someone you don’t know very well. Yes, many people sign the form and have no issues…BUT I’ve seen cases that have gone horribly wrong. Whatever decision you make…just make sure you make an informed decision using logic/knowledge…not emotions.
** On a side note: Regarding people who work for cash…the issue is NOT whether or not the family is reporting the taxes. You have no control over that. What you need to focus on are the following:
Re: affidavit of support
Re: affidavit of support
if you are signing affidavit of support for immigration, you will liable for 5 years untill they become us citizen.
The amount of time until citizenship will depend on HOW the family is being sponsored. OP should check USCIS site for time frames for the specific petitions that are being filed for the family. And the time frames also are for cases that go smoothly...(ie. no delays or surprises).