USCIS uses the data collected on Form
I-864 to determine whether the sponsor has the ability to support
the sponsored alien under section 213A of the Immigration and
Nationality Act. This form standardizes evaluation of a sponsor’s
ability to support the sponsored alien and ensures that basic
information required to assess eligibility is provided by
petitioners. Form I-864A is a contract between the sponsor and the
sponsor’s household members. It is only required if the sponsor
used the income of his or her household members to reach the
required 125 percent of the Federal poverty guidelines. The
contract holds these household members jointly and severally liable
for the support of the sponsored immigrant. The information
collection required on Form I-864A is necessary for public benefit
agencies to enforce the Affidavit of Support in the event the
sponsor used income of his or her household members to reach the
required income level and the public benefit agencies are
requesting reimbursement from the sponsor. USCIS uses Form I-864EZ
in exactly the same way as Form I-864; however, less information is
collected from the sponsors as less information is needed from
those who qualify in order to make a thorough adjudication. USCIS
uses Form I-864W to determine whether the intending immigrant meets
the criteria for exemption of section 213A requirements. This form
collects the immigrant’s basic information, such as name and
address, the reason for the exemption, and accompanying
documentation in support of the immigrant’s claim that they are not
subject to section 213A.
On 3/09/2020, the
Supreme Court vacated USCIS RIN 1615-AA22, Inadmissibility on
Public Charge Grounds (short title: Public Charge Rule). As a
result of the vacatur, USCIS is rescinding all changes made in the
Public Charge Final Rule. Changes associated with this rule will be
removed from information collection instruments that were impacted
by the rule. Changes to respondent, hour burden, and cost burden
estimates as a result of the Public Charge Rule will also be
reverted.
US Code:
8
USC 1183a Name of Law: Immigration Nationality Act
As a result of the Public
Charge Rule Rescission, USCIS is reinstating the Form I-1864W
instrument under this information collection, which results in an
increase in the estimated number of respondents and an increase in
the estimated annual time burden. The estimated number of
respondents increased by 98,119; the estimated annual time burden
increased by 98,119 hours. The estimated annual cost burden to
respondents for this collection of information is increasing from
$135,569,525 to $159,608,680, an increase of $24,039,155. The
increase is the result of the reinstatement of Form I-864W, which
added respondents who will incur out-of-pocket costs.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.