Concerned About Sponsoring My Immigrant Son-in-Law

Summary

Podcast Title: The Ramsey Show Highlights
Host/Author: Ramsey Network
Episode: Concerned About Sponsoring My Immigrant Son-in-Law
Release Date: December 20, 2024

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Introduction to the Call: Darrell’s Dilemma

In the December 20, 2024 episode of The Ramsey Show Highlights, Darrell reaches out to seek advice regarding a sensitive family and financial matter. He explains that one of his children married last summer to a man from Jamaica who does not yet possess a green card. Darrell and his wife are being asked to co-sponsor their son-in-law’s green card application. This sponsorship requires them to demonstrate a stable income of at least 125% of the poverty level—approximately $28,000 annually ([00:06]-[02:27]).

Darrell explains:
"They have to make 125% of the poverty wage and anything short of that we have to true up." ([00:59])

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Understanding Immigration Sponsorship Requirements

Darrell outlines the obligations involved in co-sponsoring his son-in-law. The sponsorship agreement mandates that Darrell and his wife commit to financially supporting their son-in-law for a decade, ensuring he meets the necessary income thresholds.

Key Points:

• Income Requirement: Sponsors must demonstrate an income of 125% of the federal poverty level.
• Duration: The sponsorship is a 10-year commitment.
• Financial Liability: If the sponsored individual fails to meet income requirements, sponsors may need to cover the shortfall.

Darrell raises concerns about the sustainability of this commitment, especially as he and his wife are planning to retire in the next three to four years. They are uncertain about the administrative aspects, such as whether the government will annually verify their income and potentially require them to provide financial documentation ([01:24]-[02:27]).

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Evaluating Financial Concerns and Retirement Plans

The prospect of retiring soon adds significant pressure to Darrell and his wife’s decision. They worry about the long-term financial implications of co-sponsoring, fearing it might jeopardize their retirement plans if unexpected financial obligations arise.

Darrell shares:
"We just paid our house off, so we are, you know, in baby step seven and she doesn't want to have to look back at and have an obligation." ([04:37])

This highlights their desire for financial security and the anxiety over potential liabilities that could disrupt their retirement.

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Assessing the Son-in-Law’s Reliability and Character

Dave Ramsey and co-host Ken Coleman delve into the personal attributes of Darrell’s son-in-law to gauge the level of risk involved in the sponsorship.

Darrell describes his son-in-law as:
"Very kind-hearted. He's very proud. He doesn't like to take money. ... very ambitious. Very industrious. He's been working under the table and he's been doing really well." ([02:00]-[02:27])

Given these positive traits, Ramsey suggests that Darrell might consider themselves as confident in their son-in-law’s ability to fulfill the sponsorship obligations.

Ramsey posits:
"If you're going to put a percentage on it, it sounds like you're going to say 90 or 95% chance he covers this and you never have to." ([02:27]-[02:37])

Ken echoes this sentiment, emphasizing trust in the son-in-law's industrious nature.

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Advice from Dave Ramsey and Ken Coleman

Ramsey and Coleman provide a framework for Darrell and his wife to make an informed decision:

1. Risk Assessment:
   Ramsey emphasizes evaluating the likelihood that the son-in-law will meet the financial requirements without imposing on the sponsors. He suggests a frank and potentially stern conversation with both the son-in-law and daughter to set clear expectations and responsibilities.

   Ramsey advises:
   "I'm going to have a real strong conversation with him and her. ... setting the table appropriately where now they're not only scared of the US Government, they're a little scared of you." ([05:05]-[05:27])

2. Understanding Obligations:
   Ken raises critical questions about the legal obligations if the son-in-law fails to meet the sponsorship terms. He seeks clarity on whether the U.S. government would pursue the sponsors for unpaid support or if they could be absolved if the sponsored individual leaves the country.

   Ken questions:
   "If he, if he were to not do this, is the option for him to go back and you not have to pay anything, or is the US government coming after you regardless because you signed the document?" ([03:39]-[04:22])

3. Personal Decision-Making:
   Both advisors underscore the importance of the sponsors' comfort and confidence in the son-in-law’s ability to fulfill his obligations. They acknowledge the emotional and financial stakes involved, urging Darrell and his wife to weigh their readiness to take on this commitment.

   Ken concludes:
   "I don't like it. This is not my financial problem. You have to go figure it out." ([06:01]-[06:22])

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Potential Risks and Recommended Actions

The discussion acknowledges the inherent risks in co-sponsorship:

• Financial Liability:
  Sponsors may become responsible for the sponsored individual’s financial shortfall if they fail to comply with income requirements.

• Family Dynamics:
  The obligation could strain relationships, necessitating tough conversations to establish clear boundaries and expectations.

Ramsey recommends a proactive approach by initiating a candid dialogue to ensure that all parties understand the gravity of the commitment and are prepared to meet the obligations. He also suggests considering alternative paths for the son-in-law, such as military service, which could potentially expedite his green card process and alleviate sponsorship concerns.

Ramsey humorously warns:
"They'll go, dad told us he's going to kill us... And I'm gonna have a conversation that's... very strenuous so that I don't have to have one later." ([05:20]-[05:57])

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Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision

Ultimately, Ramsey and Coleman encourage Darrell and his wife to thoroughly assess the situation, considering both the legal and emotional ramifications of co-sponsoring their son-in-law. They highlight the importance of trust in the son-in-law’s character and reliability, while also emphasizing the need for clear communication and understanding of the legal obligations involved.

Darrell and his wife are left with the crucial task of determining whether they can confidently support their son-in-law’s immigration journey without jeopardizing their own financial stability and retirement plans.

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Notable Quotes:

• Darrell:
  "It's a 10 year commitment. And they're asking us, my wife and I, to sign up for this and be a co sponsor with him to get his green card." ([00:06]-[00:27])

• Dave Ramsey:
  "But I'm gonna have a real strong conversation with him and her. ... And I'm gonna have a conversation that's... very strenuous so that I don't have to have one later." ([05:05]-[05:57])

• Ken Coleman:
  "This is not my financial problem. You have to go figure it out." ([06:01]-[06:22])

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Final Thoughts

This episode of The Ramsey Show Highlights provides a comprehensive exploration of the complexities involved in co-sponsoring an immigrant family member. Through Darrell’s real-life scenario, Ramsey and Coleman offer valuable insights into balancing family support with financial prudence, underscoring the importance of informed decision-making in navigating immigration sponsorship.

Transcript

[Dave Ramsey]

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[Darrell]

I'm calling about one of my children who got married this last year, this last summer to someone who has not got a green card. And he's grateful for the United States because he wants to live here and make money. But she's working on getting his green card and the paperwork to do it requires her to have a long time of wages, like over a year's worth of consistent wages. She just graduated, so she doesn't have that. It's a 10 year commitment. And they're asking us, my wife and I, to sign up for this and be a co sponsor with him to get his green card. And we're looking at retiring in about three to four years. So we're kind of on the bubble with what to do and we know that it's a relationship impacting thing too, and we thought we'd ask your advice.

[Dave Ramsey]

So what is it you're promising when you do that?

[Darrell]

They have to make 125% of the poverty wage and anything short of that we have to true up.

[Dave Ramsey]

Okay.

[Darrell]

So that's about $28,000 a year he has to make. And I don't know if it's her and him or just him. We're trying to get that clear through the immigration lawyer. We just don't know.

[Dave Ramsey]

Okay. And who have to file paperwork to prove that each year? I assume he does. Yeah, that's what I mean.

[Darrell]

Part of our questions too is do they come back and ask us for our wages each year? I don't know how that works yet. We're trying to figure that out.

[Dave Ramsey]

I want to know how they prove that. In other words, how tight is this, the mathematical audit on this or is it just like I promise to do it and we keep going? Then the second thing is, how long have you known the young man?

[Darrell]

It's been over a year. He's very kind hearted. He's very proud. He doesn't like to take money.

[Dave Ramsey]

Where does he come from? Which country?

[Darrell]

He comes from Jamaica.

[Dave Ramsey]

Okay. All right. Is he industrious, ambitious?

[Darrell]

Very. Yeah, very ambitious. Very industrious. He's been working under the table and he's been doing really well, you know, financially paid, paying his way before even came into his life.

[Dave Ramsey]

Okay, so if you're going to put a percentage on it, it sounds like you're going to say 90 or 95% chance he covers this and you never have to.

[Darrell]

Correct. That's, that's my take on it. But it's that fraction of percent that my wife and I, we probably are on kind of different ends of the spectrum here.

[Dave Ramsey]

Yeah, I mean, really what you're doing is you're, you're betting on him. You think, Ken? That's what it sounds like, yes.

[Ken]

But I, I, I'm just sitting here going, and I tend to be old school on this. I mean, I think he can do this. I mean, it, that it has to happen. I mean, it's, it's all in. You guys don't even really need to be in this conversation. In my, in my opinion, it's, I don't know what end of the spectrum you're on.

[Dave Ramsey]

He has, they have to sign promising that he's going to do it.

[Ken]

Oh, okay.

[Dave Ramsey]

That's what they're, that's what the sponsorship is, if I understood you. Is that what you said, Darrell?

[Darrell]

That's, that's correct, yeah.

[Dave Ramsey]

If he doesn't go do it, then Daryl's got to write a check.

[Ken]

So that's the only way. Are you positive of that, that the only way he could get his green card is if, if somebody else signs this correct positive. That's really new to. That is a wrinkle I was unaware of. So if that's the only way.

[Dave Ramsey]

I mean, you're looking at him. Are you willing to make this, take this risk on him? And you know him a whole lot better than I do, Obviously everything you've had to say about him is positive. Sounds like a go getter.

[Darrell]

He is.

[Dave Ramsey]

And you know, my experience with folks from Caribbean countries is they're kind of like a Gen Z person. They're either the best on the planet or they're the laziest on the planet.

[Ken]

A quick clarifying question. If he, if he were to not do this, is the option for him to go back and you not have to pay anything, or is the US government coming after you regardless because you signed the document?

[Darrell]

If he goes back, the agreement is over.

[Ken]

Yeah.

[Darrell]

So that means my daughter would go with him and we don't want her to leave the country.

[Ken]

I get it. I just, that's why I asked that clarifying question. I mean, I'm just real curious. Where's your wife? You said opposite end of the spectrums. Give us who's on what spectrum, on which side.

[Darrell]

Well, she, she's really worried that we're going to get caught. We just paid our house off, so we are, you know, in baby step seven and she doesn't want to have to look back at and have an obligation We. The freedom and comfort of that green grass in the yard, and we don't want to be in a position where we are. Are pulled back by something.

[Dave Ramsey]

Yeah, I'm gonna have a real strong conversation with him and her. Yeah, that's going to be uncomfortable. That's so strong. Like, I'm gonna kill. I'm gonna kill you, too, if I have to write a check. Yeah. You know, like, I'm gonna. I'm gonna. You. You guys don't understand how pissed off I'm going to be, so I'm going to get, like, all up in their grill so that we set the table appropriately where now they're not only scared of the US Government, they're a little scared of you.

[Darrell]

All right, Got it.

[Dave Ramsey]

And by God, then they'll. They'll go, dad told us he's going to kill us. We got to go get. You know, you better be driving Uber, man. You better be cutting some grass, cleaning some toilets or whatever it is you got to do to make some dad gum money here. Don't tell me. I'm unemployed for six months. It's not an option. Dad's gonna kill us, you know, And I'm gonna have a conversation that's. That's very, very blunt and very strenuous so that I don't have to have one later.

[Ken]

I agree, Dave. If I'm. I just put myself in, I.

[Dave Ramsey]

But I'm gonna do it.

[Ken]

I sign it. But under the. Under the agreement that you're. You're leaving if you. If you don't do what you're supposed to do, you're. You're leaving the country. And I don't want my daughter to leave, but I'm not. This is not my problem, not my financial problem. You have to go figure it out. I just. I just. Because I think it provides a safety net that I don't like. I don't like it. Yeah, I understand the government.

[Dave Ramsey]

It feel. It feels like co signing in a sense. I mean, it's very much. It's a. It's a contingent liability, and that's what his wife's worrying about. But I. Again, it has everything to do with the quality of young man. This is. And I mean, if you smell a rat, just don't do it. Just don't do it. And maybe you're the one breaks them up then, you know, by doing that. Because you're. Because he's got to go back now. So I don't know. But I'm not an immigration specialist, but I would be willing to my sons in law are both very industrious, very ambitious, very successful in their own right. Nothing to do with me. And you know, I could easily have bet on them in the old days and have been fine. That's right. And so that, that's an, that's kind of what we're looking at here. And you're gonna be fine if that's what you're dealing with. So I mean, but this guy better be a stud. That's all I'm saying.

[Ken]

I agree. Because I'll look at that young man and say, now I'll take care of her.

[Dave Ramsey]

Yeah.

[Ken]

But if I have to take care of her, you're nowhere in the picture, pal. Yeah, you're back in the homeland. I just don't, I don't like this. Yeah, I don't like this. But I don't like a lot of things the government comes up with. Stupid idea. Pass the citizenship test and give him the dad gum green card, you know. Well, it's a whole nother issue.

[Dave Ramsey]

He goes and joins the military, it goes away. So if he, if he can't make the payment, he has to go join the military. That's the promise.

[Ken]

Well, I like that. I could be good with that.

[Dave Ramsey]

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