Interpreter for Mama?

[Dogwood_Poet 16]

I know this is way ahead of the game as we just got notice USCIS received the papers for my mother-in-law. Will they provide her an interpreter for her interview? She mainly speaks Bisaya and can understand some Tagalog & a little English. My sister-n-law will go with her to help her with her medical & interview.

Will Mama have to go into the embassy alone or will they let my SIL go with her as helper?

I know we have several months before she will have her interview, but my wife wants to be sure about everything.

(BTW, my wife is a citizen so we are hoping to get her mama in the next year or so.)

[Caryh 5,206]

from the embassy web site

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwhniv1.html

"Embassy personnel are available to provide assistance at each stage. Applicants who require interpreters must inform the interviewing officer on the day of their interview. There is no need to bring a relative or a friend to act as an interpreter as the Embassy can provide language assistance when an applicant requests for it.

Important note: American citizens and US Legal Permanent Residents are not allowed to accompany nonimmigrant visa applicants to the interviewing area."

If they don't let a citizen in, I doubt they're going to let your SIL in. But I could be wrong on that. Hopefully someone who's tried will speak up.

Is it a visitor or immigrant visa? It might make a difference.

Edited June 4, 2012 by Caryh

[Dogwood_Poet 16]

Thank you!

As I said, my SIL will be going with mama anyway as she has never been to Manila before, so she can just wait with her until she gets inside and maybe shop a bit until she gets done.

And before anyone says it, we know mama may be unhappy once she gets here, but with the track record for tourist visa, we felt it would be simpler to go the family visa route. Then if mama got homesick she could go home and still have the chance to come back to the US if she doesn't stay away too long. We are bless to have a large Filipino community here so she will have some friends she can visit with.

Edited June 4, 2012 by Dogwood_Poet

[Caryh 5,206]

Thank you!

As I said, my SIL will be going with mama anyway as she has never been to Manila before, so she can just wait with her until she gets inside and maybe shop a bit until she gets done.

And before anyone says it, we know mama may be unhappy once she gets here, but with the track record for tourist visa, we felt it would be simpler to go the family visa route. Then if mama got homesick she could go home and still have the chance to come back to the US if she doesn't stay away too long. We are bless to have a large Filipino community here so she will have some friends she can visit with.

Good luck bringing her mother over. Since my wife got here and I've gotten to know many other Fil/West couples locally, I've noticed a lot where the mother has followed over. I haven't been in the community long enough to watch and see how happy they are long term though. The big problem I've heard is they feel they're a burden if can't make any money. One woman brought her father and mother over. The father returned home to work, where he feels useful. For now the mother is staying to help with the children. Your plan sounds pretty good. If it turns out she doesn't plan to stay, voluntarily turning in the green card might look better for future visitor visas.

[Hank_ 9,174]

from the embassy web site

http://manila.usemba...v/wwwhniv1.html

"Embassy personnel are available to provide assistance at each stage. Applicants who require interpreters must inform the interviewing officer on the day of their interview. There is no need to bring a relative or a friend to act as an interpreter as the Embassy can provide language assistance when an applicant requests for it.

Important note: American citizens and US Legal Permanent Residents are not allowed to accompany nonimmigrant visa applicants to the interviewing area."

If they don't let a citizen in, I doubt they're going to let your SIL in. But I could be wrong on that. Hopefully someone who's tried will speak up.

Is it a visitor or immigrant visa? It might make a difference.

Well myself and many others know this not to be true....

But as far as the OP question they don't need to worry as long as they inform the interviewing officer like stated.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Thank you!

As I said, my SIL will be going with mama anyway as she has never been to Manila before, so she can just wait with her until she gets inside and maybe shop a bit until she gets done.

And before anyone says it, we know mama may be unhappy once she gets here, but with the track record for tourist visa, we felt it would be simpler to go the family visa route. Then if mama got homesick she could go home and still have the chance to come back to the US if she doesn't stay away too long. We are bless to have a large Filipino community here so she will have some friends she can visit with.

Staying long enough to acquire the green card may be a challenge if she gets homesick. But once she has her GC as long as she comes Stateside short of a years absence all should be good from what I read.

[Caryh 5,206]

Well myself and many others know this not to be true....

But as far as the OP question they don't need to worry as long as they inform the interviewing officer like stated.

For the petitioner on a immigrant visa, I know they can go with. The K-1 is treated as an immigrant visa. I think local family members are not allowed in for visitor visas though. At least I know some people that have applied and had family members stuck waiting outside. Still nothing really surprises me when its in the Philippines.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Ya I know that is the chuckle of it...

[sunandmoon 450]

Thank you!

And before anyone says it, we know mama may be unhappy once she gets here, but with the track record for tourist visa, we felt it would be simpler to go the family visa route. Then if mama got homesick she could go home and still have the chance to come back to the US if she doesn't stay away too long. We are bless to have a large Filipino community here so she will have some friends she can visit with.

maybe yes, maybe no...