Interpreter

[ujones 148]

I know this topic has been discussed before but I could not find answer for my specific situation. There are no interpreters available for my husband’s regional language. My sister is the only one is US who speaks both & I trust. I do hve some acquaintance that does the same but I don’t really trust them. What is my choice ? Am I allowed to bring my family member as an interpreter?

[Allaboutwaiting 2,500]

Yes, you can have your sister translating. The only thing that is not allowed, is the spouse/ petitioner being the interpreter. 

Edited July 28, 2019 by Allaboutwaiting

[ujones 148]

1 minute ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

Yes, you can have your sister translating. The only thing that is not allowed, is the spouse/ petitioner being the interpreter. 

@Allaboutwaiting, do I hve to get prior permission or can we just go for the interview with my sister & tell them there ?

[payxibka 10,044]

25 minutes ago, ujones said:

I know this topic has been discussed before but I could not find answer for my specific situation. There are no interpreters available for my husband’s regional language. My sister is the only one is US who speaks both & I trust. I do hve some acquaintance that does the same but I don’t really trust them. What is my choice ? Am I allowed to bring my family member as an interpreter?

It doesn't matter who you trust,  it's who the USCIS finds acceptable 

[Allaboutwaiting 2,500]

I think you don't need to inform prior.

They will just check if the interpreter fulfills the requirements before the interview and both interpreter and beneficiary, will sign a form.

 

More info here:

https://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/AFM/HTML/AFM/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-2449/0-0-0-2798.html

[ujones 148]

9 minutes ago, payxibka said:

It doesn't matter who you trust,  it's who the USCIS finds acceptable 

I agree but when it’s your acquaintance whom you don’t think is your well wisher & you are not 100% sure that he would translate exactly as what you are saying I’m not sure if I could take that risk. If it was a stranger that would hve been a different story. 

[geowrian 22,335]

The only potential problem with choosing somebody you trust is that USCIS may not see them as impartial ("Impartial and Unbiased Individual" section in the link referenced above).

IO's call if they will accept them or not.

[Unlockable 7,306]

13 hours ago, ujones said:

I know this topic has been discussed before but I could not find answer for my specific situation. There are no interpreters available for my husband’s regional language. My sister is the only one is US who speaks both & I trust. I do hve some acquaintance that does the same but I don’t really trust them. What is my choice ? Am I allowed to bring my family member as an interpreter?

I agree with @geowrian. Getting only a relative you trust leaves open the question of how do the counselor know that this interpreter may lie on your behalf. Situations like this calls for people who are impartial to both parties so there are no manipulations. The interview is there so that the applicant can show significant evidence of their eligibility of a visa. You approaching this by driving the point that your very own sister is needed to interpret is an easy way to make the CO suspicious.

 

Look at it this way... the most successful outcome of a visa interview is one that has removed all or as much doubt for the CO. Not one that gives the CO doubt.

Edited July 29, 2019 by Unlockable

[ujones 148]

57 minutes ago, Unlockable said:

I agree with @geowrian. Getting only a relative you trust leaves open the question of how do the counselor know that this interpreter may lie on your behalf. Situations like this calls for people who are impartial to both parties so there are no manipulations. The interview is there so that the applicant can show significant evidence of their eligibility of a visa. You approaching this by driving the point that your very own sister is needed to interpret is an easy way to make the CO suspicious.

 

Look at it this way... the most successful outcome of a visa interview is one that has removed all or as much doubt for the CO. Not one that gives the CO doubt.

@Unlockable& @geowrian, I completely understand what you both are saying & I would hve preferred an outside interpreter too. But the problem is there’s none for our language. So my choice is between my sister & my acquaintance.. that’s where I’m confused. To CO they both are not impartial so he could say they both are not qualified . So that’s where I’m stuck as I could not find a source to get an interpreter for our language 

[carmel34 3,531]

2 hours ago, ujones said:

I’m stuck as I could not find a source to get an interpreter for our language

If you live in California as your profile says, you can find an interpreter for any language.  California is one of the most diverse states in the US, probably in the world.  Do more research.  What language does your wife speak?  Can she get by with English?

[Allaboutwaiting 2,500]

"Family members will generally be disfavored as interpreters IF there is another qualified interpreter available. Upon disclosure, the officer must use his or her discretion in making a determination as to whether the circumstances will interfere with the interpreter's ability to interpret objectively and provide an accurate and truthful interpretation of the information conveyed during the interview. If the officer determines that despite the relationships or other circumstances disclosed, the interpreter can still provide competent, impartial and unbiased interpretation, then the interpreter may normally be accepted."