Resources for advocates supporting sponsored immigrants

Immigration speaker and advocate

Sound Immigration supports case managers, advocates, and legal service providers who serve low-income immigrants.

Our practice focuses exclusively on enforcing the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support — a federal contract that can provide critical financial stability for sponsored immigrants who are struggling to meet basic needs.

This page is for advocates who want a clear, reliable resource to help identify when a client may have enforceable rights under the Affidavit of Support.

Understanding the Affidavit of Support

When a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident sponsors an immigrant using Form I-864, the sponsor agrees to maintain the immigrant at at least 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. This obligation is enforceable in federal court and often survives divorce, separation, or years of non-contact.

Many sponsored immigrants — and many advocates — are not told that this obligation exists, or that it can be enforced independently of family court or public benefits systems. Our role is narrow and specific: we help determine whether a valid Affidavit of Support exists, whether the sponsor’s obligation has been triggered, and whether enforcement is legally viable.

Free consultation and case support for advocates

We are available to consult with advocates at no cost to help assess whether a client may have enforceable rights under the Affidavit of Support.

If you are supporting a client who may be a sponsored immigrant — particularly someone experiencing financial hardship after separation, divorce, or sponsor abandonment — we are happy to help you analyze whether the Affidavit of Support may apply.

These consultations are informal and practical. We can help you:

• Identify whether a Form I-864 was likely executed

• Understand when the sponsor’s support obligation is triggered

• Evaluate whether the client may be entitled to financial support

• Assess whether enforcement could realistically lead to recovery

There is no obligation to refer a client, and no expectation of ongoing involvement.

Free trainings for nonprofit teams

We also offer free trainings for nonprofit organizations and legal aid teams.

These sessions are designed to help advocates recognize when the Affidavit of Support may be relevant, so clients are not overlooked simply because the issue falls between immigration, family law, and benefits systems.

We can also recommend simple intake protocols to help teams consistently identify clients with potential claims. If helpful, we can handle the technical aspects of hosting a webinar for up to 200 attendees.

Trainings typically cover:

• What the Affidavit of Support is

• Common fact patterns where enforcement may apply

• Why divorce or time passage does not necessarily end the obligation

• How Affidavit of Support claims interact with public benefits

• When to flag a case for further legal review

Trainings can be tailored to your audience and are appropriate for both legal and non-legal staff.

Our role and limitations

Sound Immigration is a private law firm. We do not provide general immigration representation or family law services. We also do not represent sponsors.

When we accept a case, our work is focused on federal enforcement of the Affidavit of Support, typically on a contingency fee basis so that clients do not pay upfront legal fees.

We view advocates as partners in spotting issues early and ensuring clients receive accurate information about their rights.

Getting in touch

If you would like to schedule a consultation about a client or explore a training for your organization, you can contact us directly. We are glad to be a resource to your team and to the communities you serve.