Thuy's Interview @ HCMC

[Kevin and 10]

Thanks Bernie... Thuy said there was one point that the CO asked a question. Thuy understood and waited for the translator to say his part before she responded... then she answered and the translator left out a great deal of her response in the translation... when she tried to correct him, and talk directly to the CO in english, the CO yelled at her and was very rude stating that she must use the translator infering that Thuys english was not understandible.. Thuy has a bachelors degree in the faculty of english at the university in Hanoi... so this makes no sense to me... someone credentialed o teach english, not being allowed to inteview in english..

This should be a concern for everyone going through HCMC. Couples have suspected translators and CO's pulling this kind of stuff, but now it has been validated.

[Joe_&_Nadiya 1]

WOW!!! I was reading your thread here and I am shocked!!! Oh my Goddness, how can they ask these questions?? I am speechless!!! It's nonsense, about sexual life. In general, it's ridiculous concerning two people.

I am sorry, I see that you are going through tough time. Just keep waiting and I hope you will get pink slip on the next interview. Good luck and never give up!!!!

[ScottThuy 140]

I am a single father and my son is in school. I wish I had the extra cash and time to take my son out of school but that was not an option this month. I already have a tcket to be there next month and address this issue straight away. I will be at the consulate the day before tolet them know I am there andwill be there for the interview and will stay until they give her the visa. Just talked to John and Kim Hai had the same CO the first time with same treatment. She had another person the second time.

[ScottThuy 140]

Thanks for the PM's gang. I see that we are going through the exact same as others based on the previous marriages and being from the north. I know how to address these issues and can resolve the hurdle we are facing. Mike, a huge thanks to you!

[sachinky 464]

I hope everything works out for you and your fiancee. Good luck to you both!

[Bernie C 24]

Just a little something to try and put and little smile on your face during a difficult time. I love "old" music!

[ScottThuy 140]

This should be a concern for everyone going through HCMC. Couples have suspected translators and CO's pulling this kind of stuff, but now it has been validated.

I wonder if I can be her translator in the next interview...

[DanielParul 50]

Good luck to both of you

[hniHnitsuJ 8]

Good luck to both of you

I am so sorry, but good luck to you. I am sure she will get her pink soon.

[Kevin and 10]

I wonder if I can be her translator in the next interview...

At least it would be an accurate translation.

[lindal24 1]

This should be a concern for everyone going through HCMC. Couples have suspected translators and CO's pulling this kind of stuff, but now it has been validated.

I had this feeling when my husband interviewed. Although I wasn't present during the interview, I've always had a lingering suspicion that something like this may (have) occurred.

[Dave 'n' Hai Au 0]

Hi Scott and Thuy, we are sorry to hear the news but will be hoping and praying for better news for you next month. In our experience, the CO asked Hai Au if I spoke VN, she said no, so he said interview would be in English. No choice. The translator did not say a word during interview. Out of all the papers she brought, he only looked at some pics of our wedding. Hai Au did have a problem with one question and tried to speak to the translator. She about fainted when the CO started talking to her in fluent VN. After her heart started again, she answered and interview was over. We think it is a plus, but no guarantee, if the USC is there so it is good news you will go next month. Hai Au saw people fly through with just a couple questions and others like Thuy getting grilled. It made no sense to her and it really seems like it is just luck of the draw on the CO you get. Unfortunately, all you can do is jump through the hoops. You two are strong and can do this, all of us here are behind you!! Take Care!!

[DansJourney 0]

I wonder if I can be her translator in the next interview...

Don't we all?

Sorry to hear about your experience and blue slip. We hope for the best for your next round.

[vietazn 1]

Because they live and work in Vietnam, the COs do understand some Vietnamese. That might be why the "translator" doesn't repeat everything back word for word in Vietnamese. My fiance said the translator was mainly there to ask the questions in Vietnamese or speak Vietnamese because the CO's Vietnamese skills must not have been very good. She said the translator sometimes spoke the response back to the CO, and even then the response wasn't complete. Many times the two talk and the person outside the glass can't hear anyway. So the translator not repeating the complete response to the CO is not necessary proof of a screwjob by the consulate.

Edited January 26, 2010 by vietazn

[toddandhien 2]

Because they live and work in Vietnam, the COs do understand some Vietnamese. That might be why the "translator" doesn't repeat everything back word for word in Vietnamese. My fiance said the translator was mainly there to ask the questions in Vietnamese or speak Vietnamese because the CO's Vietnamese skills must not have been very good. She said the translator sometimes spoke the response back to the CO, and even then the response wasn't complete. Many times the two talk and the person outside the glass can't hear anyway. So the translator not repeating the complete response to the CO is not necessary proof of a screwjob by the consulate.

Good observation. My wife said that the questions that she answered in Vietnamese were understood by the CO because he was nodding while she spoke. The translator translated her answers again but it was unnecessary in my wife's opinion. She said he seemed to understand Vietnamese relatively well. I doubt that the translator was trying to intentionally de-rail this case.

Scott, I believe Thuy was going to get this treatment regardless of anything you did or did not do in preparation for the interview. There is something about your case that they do not like and they tried to get her to make a mistake or crack. If that happened, they could white slip her without having to deal with the real issue, which you may or may not know about. We have all seen it many times here on VJ. Any interview that lasts more than 10-12 minutes is abnormal and is intentionally drawn out for a reason. Look back at the results of those interviews.

I suspect that this may have to do with her being from the North and something about her family history that they found (right or wrong) during the background check. This will be difficult to combat directly because they will never tell you that this is the reason for concern (if, in fact, it is). I believe that you are going to have to play the game, give them the info they want and push hard on the Consulate to settle your case one way or the other.

Good luck.