Wednesday, February 10, 2016

What happens to an Immigration Petition if the Sponsor Dies?

Visa petitions filed by family members who are LPRs or lawful permanent residents or US citizens to bring their relatives to the US will undoubtedly face a few hurdles if the family member acting as their sponsor dies.  However, it must be noted that significant changes in the law have been brought in the past years and therefore the hope of getting a visa does not die with the death of a sponsor although the process may be delayed.

All this can be much easier with the help of some fabulous immigration lawyers. Not sure how to go about finding one? Give us a call, right here: Immigration.USAttorneys.

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How death impact widows and widowers of US citizens

People who are married to US citizens or who are minor children of US citizens can obtain a green card without having to face problems. Even if their spouse or father have passed away before they were able to file an I-130 or just before the petition approval they will still get their green card. They can file the petition themselves with help from an immigration attorney and more likely than not will receive their permits.

In such a case, you will have to file an I-360 which is available from the USCIS website. The Affidavit of Support is not required in these cases as is needed in cases of other family beneficiaries.

Immigration lawyers warn us that there is a timeline within which you must file the application. The deadline is two years from the date your spouse or father has died. Furthermore, if you remarry someone within that period you will not have the right to obtain a green card. In addition, any sort of criminal conviction could also jeopardize your efforts.

How does death of a petitioner impact other family member?

The Family Sponsor Immigration Act came into effect in 2009 and contains remedial measures for family members of US citizens and green card holders who are affected by the death of the original petitioner. A list of those impacted by the Family Sponsor Immigration Act includes:
  • Unmarried daughters and sons of US citizens
  • Unmarried daughter and sons of green card holders
  • Spouses of green card holders
  • Married daughters and sons of green card holders
  • Brothers and sisters of US citizens

Priority dates do not affect immediate relatives. However, if a preference relatives will be affected by the annual visa caps. They will have to wait their turn which is based on the date when their visa was filed.


Those who are not immediate relatives will only have to show humanitarian grounds to file for reinstatement of visa if their sponsor dies. If you face such a situation, you must fulfill certain conditions.
  • You must be living in the US when your sponsor died and on the particular date the USCIS makes a decision on your visa application.
  • Immigrants can only apply for reinstatement after Form 1-130 has been duly approved.
  • You will have to find a replacement of your original petitioner who will act as your financial sponsor.
Your petition is likely to get revoked if your petitioner dies while you are in the US and this means you will not be able to apply for a green card. Reinstatements under humanitarian grounds are not easy and the authorities need proof of those grounds, which is why it is important to seek advice from an immigration lawyer as soon as possible.

Press right here to make that happen: Immigration.USAttorneys.

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