Would the US government deny my petition for my mother’s visa if I applied for food stamps and cash help? 12 Answers as of February 17, 2012

Yes. You need to find a joint sponsor.

Not a problem. You can get a joint sponsor, who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (greencard holder). The same rules for them applies for you, as far as how much they need to have as income.

Yes it will because one of the conditions for sponsoring a new immigrant in the US is that you have to pledge that the new immigrant will not become a public charge in the US. Here, you are yourself planning on becoming a public charge, so the question is how are you going to provide for your mother in the US if you cannot arguably provide for yourself? The only conclusion left is that your mother is going to have to become a public charge as well. You will have to find a joint sponsor to guarantee that your mother will not become a public charge. I have to say that the fact that you will be getting food stamps worries me as far as you being able clear the hurdle even with a joint sponsor. Your child getting it is not an issue to me, but you, a bit of a problem. I understand being a single mother with the burden of educating herself is laudable and difficult. I do and my heart goes out to you. But still, I would suggest that you get to a position where you don't have to use welfare and then get your mother over to the US. Put yourself in the strongest position possible first.

In order for you to sponsor a relative, you must be able to complete an Affidavit of Support. The Affidavit of Support requires you, the sponsorer, to be able to show financial capacity to financially support the person you are sponsoring. The fact that you would be on food stamps may be an issue for the Affidavit of Support because it indicates financial hardship.

No. But you will have to sign an affidavit of support and prove that you earn enough tp support your mother in order to bring her here.

You would have to be the sponsor of your petition on your mother's behalf, which means you have to be able to show sufficient income to qualify as a sponsor. If you do not work and do not derive an income or a sufficient income and receive public assistance, you can still petition for your mother but you will need to find another person (US citizen or permanent resident ) who will be able to sign the affidavit of support on your mother's behalf in order for her to get an immigrant visa.

The Government could deny your petition as they will see you as not being able to financially support your mother if you are already getting assistance from the government. You would need a joint sponsor.

As part of the petition process, you will be required to provide an affidavit of support to demonstrate your mother will not become a public charge. You will need to file this form regardless of your income. However, if you do not have sufficient income to sponsor your mother, you can have a co-sponsor. This person must be a lawful permanent resident or U.S. citizen with sufficient income to meet the requirements.

The Service would not deny the petition for that reason, but you will not qualify on your own for the I-864 affidavit of support. That requires you show an income of 125% of the HHS poverty guidelines for the applicable year for your family size, plus one. You will need a joint sponsor to file an additional affidavit of support.

Yes. When you file for a relative to come to the U.S, you must also submit an Affidavit of Support which requires you to show that you make at least 125% above Federal Poverty guidelines; therefore, if you, as the sponsor are yourself on cash assistance and food stamps, you will not be able to show that you have enough income to support yourself, your family AND your mother. As you are already a "public charge", the petition for your mother is likely to be denied if the Government thinks that she too will become a "public charge".