Green Card Interview in Detroit

[Scott Rusticus 12]

We have our green card interview for my wife and son in Detroit on December 2nd. She has already received her EAD card and SS card. However, she does not speak to English (I speak Spanish), and I have heard we should have a certified translator with us. Does anyone else think that is necessary or have any experience to offer? We would think if they already issued the EAD AND SS it would not be a long and complicated interview. I also heard my 14 year old stepson and I can not be her translator. Help?????

[Dashinka 23,235]

If she does not speak English, I would get a translator for her, and yes, I don’t believe family members are allowed to translate due to the apparent conflict of interest.  The interview in general will be fairly easy unless of course they conduct a Stokes interview, but the IO needs to make sure your wife understands all the questions hence the need for a translator.

 

Good Luck!

[Scott Rusticus 12]

2 minutes ago, Bill & Katya said:

If she does not speak English, I would get a translator for her, and yes, I don’t believe family members are allowed to translate due to the apparent conflict of interest.  The interview in general will be fairly easy unless of course they conduct a Stokes interview, but the IO needs to make sure your wife understands all the questions hence the need for a translator.

 

Good Luck!

Thank you. I think you are right. Is it true, do you think, that they MUST be a certified translator?? 

[Ontarkie 13,913]

~~Moved to AOS Family, from K1 P&P - as this is  no longer a K1 processing question.~~

[Dashinka 23,235]

50 minutes ago, Scott Rusticus said:

Thank you. I think you are right. Is it true, do you think, that they MUST be a certified translator?? 

USCIS does not require the interpreter be certified.  That being said, you can find qualified interpreters here if you so desire.

https://courts.michigan.gov/Administration/SCAO/OfficesPrograms/FLI/Pages/Certified-Court-Interpreters.aspx

 

 

a) Core Qualifications to Serve as an Interpreter  

 

Officers must determine whether a proposed interpreter meets the interpreter qualifications, including whether to grant exceptions for good cause when such are available. An interpreter is "a person who provides an oral translation between speakers who speak different languages."¹ In order to qualify as an interpreter for purposes of an immigration interview conducted in a USCIS domestic field office, an individual must be sufficiently fluent in both English and in the interviewee’s language, able to interpret competently between English and the interviewee’s language, and able to interpret impartially and without bias. If the officer determines either before or during the interview that an individual cannot meet these standards, the officer must disqualify the individual from being an interpreter.²   

 

Additionally, some individuals are restricted from serving as an interpreter. These include minors under age 18, witnesses, and attorneys and representatives for the interviewee. An exception for good cause may be granted if the proposed interpreter is age 14-17. See Section (d), "Exceptions for Good Cause." A witness in a case also cannot serve as an interpreter unless an exception is made for good cause.³

 

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

[alun 73]

I translated for my son in law . S The IO asked me ( inside her office ) how I know the applicant and when I told her he is my son in law she  was ok with it .Just told me to translate everything  . I had an statement from home that I am fluent in both languages  etc 

[Scott Rusticus 12]

A statement? Where did you get it? The person we are using is the wife of a guy I used to work with who is fluent in both Spanish and English. Was the interview in Detroit? 

[alun 73]

Yes , the interview was in Detroit . Yes , if she doesn't speak English at all , she will need an interpreter.  Your friend will do fine . There is a Declaration form ( provided by USCIS at the interview) which needs to be signed by the interpreter . My paper from home was not needed !  Succes!

[Scott Rusticus 12]

We just had the interview in Detroit. Is it normal to NOT be told if you are approved at the end of the interview? He just said he would have to review the paperwork and had us sign something that said it could be 60-90 days. His questions were not deep and were all quite surface. All questions were answered properly without any issues. I didn’t hold her hand or hug her or kiss her during the interview. Is that a problem? I didn’t want to make it look like I was trying to prove something. I am nervous, to be honest. I figured they would tell us we were approved right there.