Accompanying Applicant at interview

[matrix66 0]

Hi there,

My mom who is a senior 71 years old has her interview for citizenship coming up next month. Does the immigration office allow applicant's husband or son to accompany them at the interview in front of the immigration officer in order for them to interpret/translate the questions asked? I have heard from several sources that husbands or children are allowed to accompany their old parents to interpret or translate if needed. Please advise. Thank you all in advance.

[JimmyHou 610]

Hi there,

My mom who is a senior 71 years old has her interview for citizenship coming up next month. Does the immigration office allow applicant's husband or son to accompany them at the interview in front of the immigration officer in order for them to interpret/translate the questions asked? I have heard from several sources that husbands or children are allowed to accompany their old parents to interpret or translate if needed. Please advise. Thank you all in advance.

There are two issues here:

1) accompanying your mom

2) translating for your mom

As far as accompanying her goes, she is supposed to do her interview alone... in very limited circumstances, someone may be allowed to accompany her (usually if she has a disability), but you won't be allowed to help her answer questions.

As far as the translating goes:

If your mom qualifies for a language waiver then they will either allow you to translate for her or they will provide a translator.

If she doesn't qualify for a waiver, then she'll have to answer the questions on her own in English. Reading, writing, and speaking English are requirements for naturalization unless the applicant meets one of the exemptions listed below. If an applicant can't speak English but doesn't meet these conditions, he/she will not pass the interview, but can remain a permanent resident:

http://www.uscis.gov/policymanual/HTML/PolicyManual-Volume12-PartE-Chapter2.html#S-B

If you are over 50 AND have been living in the US as a Legal Permanent Resident for 20 years, you don't have to take the reading/writing test or demonstrate understanding of the English language during your interview, but you do have to take the normal civics test, although it can be administered in the language of your choice.

If you are over 55 AND have been living in the US as an LPR for 15 years, you don't have to take the reading/writing test or demonstrate understanding of the English language during your interview, but you do have to take the normal civics test, although it can be administered in the language of your choice.

If you are over 65 AND have been living in the US as an LPR for 20 years, you don't have to take the reading/writing test or demonstrate understanding of the English language during your interview. You will be given a MODIFIED version of the civics test (the officer can only ask you certain civics questions, so you don't have to study all the questions). The civics test can be administered in the language of your choice.