2000 Federal Poverty Guidelines Issued

IMMIGRATION LAW & POLICY

Affidavits of Support

2000 FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES ISSUED
Immigrants' Rights Update, Vol. 14, No. 2, April 11, 2000

The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services has issued updated federal poverty guidelines that took effect Feb. 15, 2000. The guidelines, which serve as a basis for determining eligibility for many means-tested benefits, are updated yearly to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. Under the new affidavit-of-support requirements created by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, sponsors seeking to immigrate family members must establish that they have an income of at least 125 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

The table at below contains the new guidelines.

65 Fed. Reg. 7,555–57 (Feb. 15, 2000).

FAMILY UNIT SIZE	48 CONTIGUOUS STATES & D.C.	ALASKA	HAWAII
1	$8,350	$10,430	$9,590
2	11,250	14,060	12,930
3	14,150	17,690	16,270
4	17,050	21,320	19,610
5	19,950	24,950	22,950
6	22,850	28,580	26,290
7	25,750	32,210	29,630
8	28,650	35,840	32,970
For each additional family member, add:	2,900	3,630	3,340