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As part of the green card application process, every family-based immigrant must have a financial sponsor (or be able to show adequate means of self-support), and the sponsor must file Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS, formerly called the INS).
The sponsor's income and assets must reach 125% of the levels in the federal Poverty Guidelines, which are revised annually. The 2007 guidelines, which go into effect on April 1 of 2007, are shown below. They are also shown on Form I-864P, published by USCIS and available on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov.
| Size of Family Unit | 125% of Poverty Line |
| 2 | $17,112 |
| 3 | $21,462 |
| 4 | $25,812 |
| 5 | $30,162 |
| 6 | $34,512 |
| 7 | $38,862 |
| 8 | $43,212 |
For family units in these states with more than eight members, add $4,350 for each additional member.
| Size of Family Unit | 125% of Poverty Line |
| 2 | $21,400 |
| 3 | $26,837 |
| 4 | $32,275 |
| 5 | $37,712 |
| 6 | $43,150 |
| 7 | $48,587 |
| 8 | $54,025 |
For families in Alaska with more than eight members, add $5,437 for each additional member.
| Size of Family Unit | 125% of Poverty Line |
| 2 | $19,687 |
| 3 | $24,687 |
| 4 | $29,687 |
| 5 | $34,687 |
| 6 | $39,687 |
| 7 | $44,687 |
| 8 | $49,687 |
For families in Hawaii with more than eight members, add $5,000 for each additional member.
