I-485 - How to correct mistake concerning speeding tickets

[bvrnrdnck 1]

Hi guys!

 

Today I finally got the invitation for my Greencard interview!

 

However, after going through the I-485 form again to prepare a bit, my excitement dropped as I realized I made a mistake not mentioning speeding tickets I received while I was still living abroad (Germany).

 

When we filed the I-485 I got misled by the instructions for the form that said:

 

In general, you do not need to submit documentation relating to traffic fines and incidents that did not involve an actual physical arrest if the penalty was only a fine of less than $500 or resulted in points on your driver’s license. However, you must submit such documentation if the traffic incident resulted in criminal charges or involved alcohol, drugs, or injury to a person or property.

 

This led me to believe speeding tickets are not relevant to mention and I answered NO to question 22.

 

22. Have you ever been arrested, cited, charged or permitted to participate in a diversion program (including pre-trial diversion, deferred prosecution, deferred adjudication, or any withheld adjudication), or detained for any reason by any law enforcement official in any country including but not limited to and U.S. immigration official or any officials of the U.S. armed forces or U.S. Coast Guard or by a similar official of a country other than the United States?

 

After researching for hours I realize I should've answered "YES" and just mention the speeding tickets, while not being required to provide additional documentation as none of them were over 500$ or connected to DUI, criminal charges or injuries to a person.

 

I am debating how to solve this. My interview is in 5 weeks. Should I upload a letter in my USCIS portal stating the issue and apologizing for my misinterpretation or wait for the interview and bring it up then? I will definitely try if I can get a confirmation by the German authorities stating it's just been speeding tickets and they've all been under 500$ and are paid off.

[TBoneTX 47,414]

27 minutes ago, bvrnrdnck said:

wait for the interview and bring it up then

Bring it up first thing.

27 minutes ago, bvrnrdnck said:

get a confirmation by the German authorities stating it's just been speeding tickets and they've all been under 500$ and are paid off

You'll need this.  Walk into the interview with your arm extended and the papers in your hand.

 

Edited to add:  Have the German authorities write the explanation in English, or (perhaps better and more thorough) attach a translation with the standard translator's certification that we use and recommend here.

Edited June 3 by TBoneTX

[Dashinka 25,792]

I agree, you can correct any issues on the I485 at the interview, and in fact the IO will review your answers at the interview under oath, so as @TBoneTX said, bring it up first thing (my wife had a similar situation on her N400 with a red light ticket, brought it up first thing, and it was a non-issue).

 

As to proof, didn't you have a German police report for your K1?  If so, use that assuming it showed the violations.  If not, you need to try and get proof of the citations for your interview.

 

Good Luck!

[bvrnrdnck 1]

The German police report does not show any traffic violations as speeding is not deemed a crime in Germany and therefore won't be added to any record. You just get a letter, pay it off and don't even get a confirmation you paid it. I will try and contact the authorities and hope they will answer in time so I can get it to a certified translator ahead of the interview. Thanks for answering.

[Edward and Jaycel 1,847]

For correcting things on the I-485 - Type up what is called an "Errata Sheet". You will type out the Part # and Item # you need to correct, what your original answer was and what you want your new answer to be with a short explanation as to why you are correcting it. Like others said above, hand it to the ISO right at the beginning of the interview. I have read lots of reports of interviews and some folks that needed to correct things and almost every one of them reported that the officer said something along the lines of, "Don't worry, part of the interview process is so that you can correct mistakes made in the application." Then afterward they have you sign on a tablet confirming the changes. Don't sweat it too much  

[bvrnrdnck 1]

Thank you! I will do that

[Fr8dog 351]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Like you said, if the fines were under 500,= you don't need to provide any document. The only "error" is the incorrect check box. That's easy enough to correct at the interview as stated above.

 

If you can get documents from the Germans you could request them hand them over should USCIS want to see them. (I really doubt they want them)

If you request any documents from any EU country always ask if they are available in international or European format form (this includes a translation into all official languages of the EU) so you don't have to worry about translating it.

 

 

.

 

 

[bvrnrdnck 1]

Thanks guys! I have reached out to the German authorities for a confirmation that the three speeding tickets I'm talking about were under 500$, there are no open tickets and I paid everything on time. 

 

The lady I was talking to was very surprised US authorities might be asking for something like that and said in her 30 years of working this job she has never encountered once that US authorities are interested in past speeding tickets. So I guess I really am overthinking this way too much. But better safe than sorry. 

 

[TBoneTX 47,414]

13 hours ago, bvrnrdnck said:

better safe than sorry

Good thinking.  Good idea from Fr8dog regarding translation format.  Good luck, and be sure to let us know the outcome.