What have you done if your AP chooses to stay beyond their program duration?

[Anonymous]

We have had six AP, and out of the six three decided to remain beyond their program duration. We've always made it clear that one of the big reasons we do the AP program at all is because we like to keep things on the books; the program has guidelines, the AP have a community, agency support and health insurance. But when someone has lived with you and taken care of your child for 1-2 years, it's really hard to see them struggling with strategies to stay in the US. Curious how many others have encountered this situation and how you've managed it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have had six AP, and out of the six three decided to remain beyond their program duration. We've always made it clear that one of the big reasons we do the AP program at all is because we like to keep things on the books; the program has guidelines, the AP have a community, agency support and health insurance. But when someone has lived with you and taken care of your child for 1-2 years, it's really hard to see them struggling with strategies to stay in the US. Curious how many others have encountered this situation and how you've managed it.

OP - for the record, one of our APs decided to just stay with a friend; the second found a family to sponsor her and left early; the third is in the throes of this process now. We have already matched with an incoming AP, so it is coming down to the wire for her.

[Anonymous]

We are very clear from the get go that we won't do anything against the program rules. With an incoming AP, there's just no way we could accommodate an extra person in our home.

One of our previous APs found an English school and changed her visa to F1. It buys her time while she searches for jobs that would sponsor an H1 visa. We cheer her on and she keeps us posted. Staying has been her goal from day one and she's the one who did all the research and legwork and did not ask anything of us.

[Anonymous]

I have experienced this. Two got married. The rest just went home even though they wanted to stay.

The worst is when they hear from all their AP friends that their families are sponsoring them when the program is up. In all but one case it wasn’t true. The one did it but the AP got pregnant in 6 mos and left.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have experienced this. Two got married. The rest just went home even though they wanted to stay.

The worst is when they hear from all their AP friends that their families are sponsoring them when the program is up. In all but one case it wasn’t true. The one did it but the AP got pregnant in 6 mos and left.

I just got requested for sponsorship by my former AP who is currently in her 2nd year with another HF. Big NO from me. Got enough to take care in life and don't want to/can't afford to have any additional burden. She wants to stay then she figures out how.

[Anonymous]

I am upfront and open with APs if after they arrive they indicate a desire to stay — we will not host or sponsor them, I am always happy to be a sounding board on strategies/best practices for staying, while also setting the boundary that I am not providing legal advice (I am an attorney and am familiar with immigration law). I am also truly not judgmental if they hit the ground running on the husband hunt. I get it. We are a family of immigrants as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am upfront and open with APs if after they arrive they indicate a desire to stay — we will not host or sponsor them, I am always happy to be a sounding board on strategies/best practices for staying, while also setting the boundary that I am not providing legal advice (I am an attorney and am familiar with immigration law). I am also truly not judgmental if they hit the ground running on the husband hunt. I get it. We are a family of immigrants as well.

I do not like this but i understand. As long as they take good care of my kids, they can do whatever they can to find the way to stay if that is what they truly want. But I told them not to expect us to contribute on their legal status or living after the program is over.