I-864 Sponsor Defense Litigation in State and Federal Courts.
I-864 Sponsor Defense Litigation
Mulder Law – Federal I-864 Defense Nationwide
If you have been sued under an I-864 Affidavit of Support, you are facing a federal contract enforcement action that may be filed in state court or federal court, often arising after divorce or immigration sponsorship disputes.
These cases are commonly referred to as:
I-864 lawsuit
Affidavit of Support enforcement action
immigration sponsor lawsuit
spouse suing for green card support
“immigrant alimony” claim
I-864 financial support enforcement case
Mulder Law represents sponsors nationwide in I-864 defense litigation, focusing exclusively on defending individuals who have been sued under an Affidavit of Support.
Being Sued Under an I-864 Does NOT Mean You Automatically Owe Money
Many sponsors mistakenly believe that signing an I-864 means automatic liability.
That is not how courts are applying the law today.
In both state court I-864 cases and federal court enforcement actions, plaintiffs must prove:
an actual financial shortfall under federal law
proper calculation under I-864 enforcement standards
admissible financial evidence of damages
that all income and financial resources have been considered
A signed Affidavit of Support alone is not enough to establish damages or automatic payment obligations.
Can You Defend an I-864 Lawsuit?
Yes.
Defendants in I-864 enforcement lawsuits have legal defenses under federal contract law and civil litigation principles, including:
failure of proof of financial shortfall
improper calculation of damages under federal standards
inclusion of income, benefits, or other financial resources
procedural defenses in state court or federal court
improper or incomplete financial documentation
statutory interpretation defenses under 8 U.S.C. § 1183a
Every case depends on the facts, financial evidence, and proper application of federal law—not assumptions about liability.
I-864 Lawsuits in State Court vs Federal Court
An I-864 claim may be filed in:
state court (often in divorce-related proceedings)
federal court as a contract enforcement action
Regardless of where the case is filed:
the I-864 is a federal contract
federal law governs interpretation and enforcement
plaintiffs still must prove damages with evidence
The forum does not eliminate the burden of proof.
What Courts Require in I-864 Enforcement Cases Today
Courts hearing Affidavit of Support enforcement lawsuits are consistently requiring:
1. Proof of Actual Financial Shortfall
Plaintiffs must show a real, documented deficiency—not assumptions or estimates.
2. Financial Evidence and Documentation
Courts require full financial records, including income, assets, benefits, and support received.
3. Proper Application of Federal Law
Damages must be calculated under federal I-864 standards—not divorce alimony principles.
4. Admissible Evidence in Court
Unsupported allegations are not sufficient to establish liability.
I-864 Is a Federal Contract, Not Alimony
The I-864 Affidavit of Support is frequently mischaracterized as “immigrant alimony.”
It is not alimony.
It is a federal contract governed by statute, enforced under federal law.
While many cases arise in connection with divorce, the legal obligation is not created by family law. It is created and defined by federal immigration sponsorship law.
Why I-864 Defense Requires a Specialized Attorney
Defending an I-864 lawsuit requires more than general immigration or divorce experience.
These cases involve:
federal contract law
statutory interpretation (8 U.S.C. § 1183a)
civil litigation strategy
evidentiary standards
financial damages analysis
state and federal court procedure
Social Security Administration Rules and Policies
Internal Revenue rules and Policies
Proving deportable offenses by the Plaintiff such as marriage fraud, tax evasion, welfare fraud, and all other actions that may be a deportable offense that may lead to a terminating event.
Most importantly, they require understanding how courts actually evaluate I-864 enforcement claims in practice, not just how the statute reads in theory.
Mulder Law I-864 Defense Practice
Mulder Law is dedicated exclusively to I-864 sponsor defense litigation across the United States.
The firm represents sponsors who have been sued under:
Affidavit of Support enforcement actions
immigration sponsor liability claims
I-864 lawsuits filed in state court and federal court
post-divorce financial support claims based on immigration sponsorship
Each case is evaluated based on evidence, statutory requirements, and federal contract law governing enforcement of the Affidavit of Support.
Speak With an I-864 Defense Attorney
If you have been served with an I-864 lawsuit or Affidavit of Support enforcement action, you should immediately evaluate your legal defenses before making any assumptions about liability or settlement.
Every case requires a fact-specific legal analysis under federal law.
Mulder Law represents sponsors nationwide in I-864 litigation.
Consultation is available for individuals facing enforcement actions in state court or federal court I-864 cases.
