2003 Federal Poverty Guidelines Issued

IMMIGRATION LAW & POLICY

Affidavits of Support

2003 federal poverty guidelines issued
Immigrants' Rights Update, Vol. 17, No. 2, April 8, 2003

The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services has issued updated federal poverty guidelines that took effect Feb. 7, 2003. 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 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 below contains the new guidelines.

FAMILY UNIT SIZE	48 CONTIGUOUS STATES & D.C.	ALASKA	HAWAII
1	$8,980	$11,210	$10,330
2	12,120	15,140	13,940
3	15,260	19,070	17,550
4	18,400	23,000	21,160
5	21,540	26,930	24,770
6	24,680	30,860	28,380
7	27,820	34,790	31,990
8	30,960	38,720	35,600
For each additional family member, add:	3,140	3,930	3,610

68 Fed. Reg. 6,456–58 (Feb. 7, 2003).