Somebody on her end is a f-ing LIAR.
She is REQUIRED to have a sponsor and family is REQUIRED.
A foreign citizen seeking to live permanently in the United States requires an immigrant visa (IV). To be eligible to apply for an IV, a foreign citizen must be sponsored by an immediate relative who is at least 21 years of age and is either a U.S. citizen or U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (that is, a green-card holder).
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration.html
I worked fora a huge welfare department as an eligibility worker. When I first started I had someone come in and apply and I asked my manager about them having a sponsor. I was told...oh we don’t worry about that...process them.
I’m sure 99% of the welfare departments in the country work that way.