Debt Liability of a Tourist Visa Sponsor

[CDG]

Hi,

What is the debt liability of a person sponsoring a tourist visa if the tourist being sponsored undergoes an emergency medical surgery in US and the tourist is unable to pay the hospital bills because of low income?

Thanks!

[Mr. Knowitall]

It depends on the facts. If the government picked up the tab, they may be liable per an affidavit of support. If you signed a contract with the hospital to guarantee any medical bills not paid by the patient or their insurer, then immigration issues are beside the point and it's a matter of contract.

[CDG]

Thanks for your reply.

The hospital had forwarded the tourist's bill to a debt collector which is now pursuing the case with the person (host) who had given the affidavit of support. The debt collector has threatened to reflect the non-payment of debt on the host's credit worthiness. The tourist has now left US and his contact details are present with the debt collector but they are still pursuing the case with the host.

The host had not signed any payment contract with the hospital. Is the host still liable for the debt? Is the debt company's threat legitimate? Can they take any legal action against the host (person who had signed the affidavit of support)?

[Mr. Knowitall]

Again, it depends on the facts.

The hospital didn't identify your friend by magic - they got his name and address from somewhere. Where did they get it?

[CDG]

Sorry for not clarifying it earlier. My friend had written down his contact info on the hospital documents because that was the tourist's local/temporary contact. But that was only in the context of communication and he did not sign any payment contract.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Tell your friend to show everything that he signed to a lawyer.