Interpreter question

[Sara&Diego 1]

Hi there,

My husband is from Chile and we are currently working on his adjustment of status package. He is here on a business visa. He is probably about 50% fluent in English, and I am probably about 80% fluent in Spanish. We speak primarily Spanish. In doing the forms, he is able to read and understand the questions and do the forms with minimal help from me. However, when it comes time for our interview, he will definitely want to use an interpreter. My question is, if he checks the box that says “I can read and understand English, and I have read and understand every question and instruction on this petition and my answer to every question”, is it going to look bad if he shows up to the interview with an interpreter? He can truly understand the English on a form but would be much more comfortable at the interview with an interpreter. I just don’t want it to seem like we’re lying or anything. I would put myself as the interpreter, but for that I would have to say I am fluent in Spanish, which I don’t feel comfortable doing as I am still not 100% of the way there. 
Thanks

Sara and Diego 

[Timona 4,207]

45 minutes ago, Sara&Diego said:

Hi there,

My husband is from Chile and we are currently working on his adjustment of status package. He is here on a business visa. He is probably about 50% fluent in English, and I am probably about 80% fluent in Spanish. We speak primarily Spanish. In doing the forms, he is able to read and understand the questions and do the forms with minimal help from me. However, when it comes time for our interview, he will definitely want to use an interpreter. My question is, if he checks the box that says “I can read and understand English, and I have read and understand every question and instruction on this petition and my answer to every question”, is it going to look bad if he shows up to the interview with an interpreter? He can truly understand the English on a form but would be much more comfortable at the interview with an interpreter. I just don’t want it to seem like we’re lying or anything. I would put myself as the interpreter, but for that I would have to say I am fluent in Spanish, which I don’t feel comfortable doing as I am still not 100% of the way there. 
Thanks

Sara and Diego 

 

Yo mean he came on a B1-B2 Visa?

 

[Sara&Diego 1]

1 minute ago, Timona said:

 

Yo mean he came on a B1-B2 Visa?

 

Yes a B1. But I don’t even know why I included that as it’s not really that relevant to the question 

[payxibka 10,045]

49 minutes ago, Sara&Diego said:

Hi there,

My husband is from Chile and we are currently working on his adjustment of status package. He is here on a business visa. He is probably about 50% fluent in English, and I am probably about 80% fluent in Spanish. We speak primarily Spanish. In doing the forms, he is able to read and understand the questions and do the forms with minimal help from me. However, when it comes time for our interview, he will definitely want to use an interpreter. My question is, if he checks the box that says “I can read and understand English, and I have read and understand every question and instruction on this petition and my answer to every question”, is it going to look bad if he shows up to the interview with an interpreter? He can truly understand the English on a form but would be much more comfortable at the interview with an interpreter. I just don’t want it to seem like we’re lying or anything. I would put myself as the interpreter, but for that I would have to say I am fluent in Spanish, which I don’t feel comfortable doing as I am still not 100% of the way there. 
Thanks

Sara and Diego 

Usage of an interpreter is not a negative.   Typically the spouse cannot be the interpreter 

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

Don't worry, it won't look bad.

As you said it yourself, there is a difference between reading and understanding a form and being interviewed in a foreign language. 

 

So, leave those fields blank and get an interpreter for the interview. No issue.

Perhaps by the time the interview is scheduled, he'll be already fluent. 😊

[Sara&Diego 1]

4 minutes ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

Don't worry, it won't look bad.

As you said it yourself, there is a difference between reading and understanding a form and being interviewed in a foreign language. 

 

So, leave those fields blank and get an interpreter for the interview. No issue.

Perhaps by the time the interview is scheduled, he'll be already fluent. 😊

Thank you  Thats what I was thinking, just needed some reassurance  

[Paul Hanaki 72]

There was no issue for my wife. She had put that she understood the questions on the 485 and we had an interpreter at the interview.  I explained to the adjudicator that we wanted to be very sure she understood all the questions and didn't answer something wrongly due to misinterpretation. So the interpreter translated the interview questions and my wife answered in English. Also even if your notice says that the interpreter should be available by phone be sure they actually show up with you. There is a form they need to sign.