Sponsoring an Immigrant in Melrose Park

Family members and employers who meet certain qualifications can sponsor a non-U.S. citizen’s immigration petition, but the process can be challenging. For professional and experienced assistance with sponsoring an immigrant in Melrose Park, the Godoy Law Office Immigration Lawyers are your premier choice.

Our experienced immigration attorneys guide sponsors and immigrants through the increasingly complex U.S. immigration maze and tirelessly advocate for every petitioner’s right to pursue the American dream.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements to Sponsor and Immigrant?

Melrose Park residents can sponsor an immigrant if they meet the following minimum criteria:

• They are already U.S. citizens or hold a green card that entitles them to permanent residency in the U.S.
• They are 18 years of age
• They are living in the U.S. and have established permanent U.S. residency
• They have verifiable income at a level that is 125% or more above Federal Poverty Guidelines (as of March 2025, the minimum levels are $15,650 for an individual, and $21,150 for multi-person households)
• They can demonstrate their good moral character, which generally involves showing proof that they have paid taxes, have a clean police record, and have established strong ties to their community

Immigrant sponsorship is a significant undertaking that imposes an obligation on you to provide financial and other support for an immigrant. Consult with an attorney from Godoy Law Office if you have questions or concerns about your sponsorship of an immigrant’s visa application.

What Steps Does an Individual Take to Sponsor an Immigrant?

Family members frequently sponsor immigrant visa applications. If no family members meet the sponsorship criteria, non-family members in Melrose Park can act as joint sponsors if they are willing to assume the financial obligations of sponsoring an immigrant.

In either case, the sponsors begin the process by completing and filing Form I-130 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The immigrant submits a separate visa application. When the immigrant’s visa is in process, the sponsor must then submit an Affidavit of Support on Form I-864 to verify the sponsor’s financial ability to provide for the immigrant’s needs in the U.S. Any errors on these forms or a sponsor’s failure to provide all requested information and supporting documentation will delay processing and may be cause for rejection of the sponsor’s or the immigrant’s petitions. Hire a skilled immigration lawyer from Godoy Law Office to prevent these and other mistakes that can harm immigration petitions.

How Do Employers Sponsor Immigrants?

Employers in Melrose Park have multiple pathways to sponsor an immigration petition for non-U.S. citizens who have special skills or qualifications. The employer begins the sponsorship process by filing a Form I-140 and paying all requisite fees. As with immigration sponsorship by individuals, employers must meet certain minimum thresholds to act as a sponsor, including:

• An ability to make regular salary and wage payments at rates that are consistent with the services that the immigrant will provide
• Showing that the offer for employment is legitimate, and that the job has not been created solely for purposes of bringing an I migrant into the United States
• For certain petitions, showing that the company has had regular business operations for at least a year.
• A willingness to compensate the immigrant’s repatriation expenses if the employment position is terminated shortly after the immigrant enters the U.S.

Meeting these requirements helps ensure the sponsorship process moves forward efficiently and increases the likelihood that the immigrant’s petition will be approved without unnecessary delays.

Still Have Questions About the Process of Sponsoring an Immigrant? Contact Our Knowledgeable Melrose Park Attorneys

Sponsoring an immigrant in Melrose Park is not something that should be done without serious consideration and experienced legal assistance. Call our team at Godoy Law Office before you make a sponsorship commitment. Our immigration lawyers will provide the guidance you need and pursue your and the immigrant’s applications through every stage of the process.