Immigration

[Ygonzalez]

My dad is Cuban and currently has visa for five years. He has already visited us in Miami twice in the past two years. I want him (and his wife) to come and stay definitely. Can he get (apply for) goverment aid (food stamp, medicaid, etc) if he comes to stay definitely? Thanks.

 

[Zigner]

Why should he be allowed to come in to the country and have no means of support? Why should the taxpayers of this country support him?

 

[FlyingRon]

Neglecting Zig's rhetorical question, almost any immigrant visa that you could sponsor him for will require you to specifically commit that he WON'T end up on public assistance.

 

[Proserpina]

And because I'm in such a good mood, here's where you can read about your obligation as a sponsor:

NOLO's very reader-friendly version: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/fiance-marriage-visa-book/chapter3-5.html

USCIS' version: https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/affidavit-support

Have a nice day.

 

[Mass_Shyster]

Look into the Cuban Adjustment Act

http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/other-ways-get-green-card/green-card-cuban-native-or-citizen

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

Being Cuban, they may be able to obtain political asylum under special dispensation for Cubans. In fact, one of the recent trends has been for Cubans to travel to Central American countries, then arrive at the US border with proof of citizenship to obtain such asylum.

 

[t74]

They could do something unique like get a J-O-B. Since retirement age is 66 or 67 and many people who have worked all of their lives in the US must work long past retirement age to survive, it is not too much to expect people who CHOOSE to come to the US to get out there and bust their *)(#$Q)( to support themselves.

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

Actually it is very fashionable to obtain citizenship at retirement age so you automatically qualify for senior SSI, free housing etc.. and do not need a job, when you arrive with no assets.

 

[t74]

I know that many immigrant parents get dumped on SSI and Medicaid even though their sponsors were to support them. It should be required that sponsors fulfill their obligations. The sponsored immigrant should be required to sue their sponsor for the 125% poverty level support which is still a minimal standard of living. I expect there is a lot of fraud in reporting living arrangements and dependent claims on income tax as well.

I know Cubans are now a special case; hopefully with the normalization of relations, they will have to follow the same rules as everyone else.