If you don't speak fluent English, you should bring an interpreter to the interview - Question.

[ShawnSpiker 10]

So we have an AOS interview in a few weeks, and my wife does not speak English fluently.
The letter stating "If you don't speak fluent English, you should bring an interpreter to the interview."

I do speak English Fluently but my wife does not - She is more intermediate.

Do I have to hire an interpreter, or will I be enough since I will attend the interview with her?  

[TBoneTX 49,333]

Hire one, in case they separate you or want to hear only from her.

[ShawnSpiker 10]

Thank you,

Do you know where I could find an affordable interpreter? I mean, link or something.
Can it be like a friend who can speak both languages fluently? Does it have to be an official interpreter? 

Is intermediate English risky for an AOC interview?

 

Edited 18 hours ago by ShawnSpiker

[TBoneTX 49,333]

19 minutes ago, ShawnSpiker said:

Can it be like a friend who can speak both languages fluently?

Sure.

19 minutes ago, ShawnSpiker said:

Is intermediate English risky for an AOC interview?

Possibly.  You never want to misunderstand or say anything that could be misinterpreted.

19 minutes ago, ShawnSpiker said:

Do you know where I could find an affordable interpreter?

Google (although I use StartPage.com) is your friend -- search "Arabic interpreters in New York City" or your borough.  Might be even faster to utilize ChatGPT, which can do more work for you.

 

Edited to add:  Some interpreters will have worked for USCIS, e.g. in asylum interviews, and will be familiar with what's going on in an AOS interview.

Edited 18 hours ago by TBoneTX

[ShawnSpiker 10]

2 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

Sure.

Possibly.  You never want to misunderstand or say anything that could be misinterpreted.

Google (although I use StartPage.com) is your friend -- search "Arabic interpreters in New York City" or your borough.  Might be even faster to utilize ChatGPT, which can do more work for you.

Will do.

Thank you.

[TBoneTX 49,333]

You're welcome.     Let us know who you find and how you did it -- valuable for others.

See my "edited to add" above.

[ShawnSpiker 10]

Do I have to upload any new unsolicited evidence, such as our recent tax return, to my online account or wait till the interview?

 

[Dashinka 26,595]

5 hours ago, ShawnSpiker said:

Do I have to upload any new unsolicited evidence, such as our recent tax return, to my online account or wait till the interview?

 

You can upload it, but I would also take it to the interview.

 

Good Luck!

[JeanneAdil 7,489]

i a sure the mosque will have many who can speak both Arabic and English and would be happy to assist u

[Edward and Jaycel 2,518]

The USCIS policy manual states that the interpreter should be a disinterested party:

“An applicant may not be fluent in English and may require use of an interpreter for the adjustment interview. At the adjustment interview, the interpreter should:

• Present his or her valid government-issued identity document and complete an interpreter's oath and privacy release statement; and
• Translate what the officer and the applicant say word-for-word to the best of his or her ability without adding the interpreter's own opinion, commentary, or answer.

In general, a disinterested party should be used as the interpreter. An officer may exercise discretion, however, to allow a friend or relative of the applicant to act as interpreter. If the officer is fluent in the applicant's preferred language, the officer may conduct the examination in that language without use of an interpreter.

USCIS reserves the right to disqualify an interpreter provided by the applicant if the officer believes the integrity of the examination is compromised by the interpreter's participation or the officer determines the interpreter is not competent to translate.”

 

You yourself cannot be one as you are a direct party to the application. A friend might be considered to interpret as the officer has discretion to allow it BUT if the officer does not allow it, you will then be forced to make a choice; hold the interview without an interpreter or reschedule the interview. Neither are great options. I would hire a truly disinterested party so that there is no chance you will be forced into one of those choices. Best of luck! Let us know what happens. 

Edited 2 hours ago by Edward and Jaycel

[ShawnSpiker 10]

2 minutes ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

The USCIS policy manual states that the interpreter should be a disinterested party. You yourself cannot be one as you are a direct party to the application. A friend might be considered to interpret as the officer has discretion to allow it BUT if the officer does not allow it, you will then be forced to make a choice; hold the interview without an interpreter or reschedule the interview. Neither are great options. I would hire a truly disinterested party so that there is no chance you will be forced into one of those choices. Best of luck! Let us know what happens. 

Thank you very much, we will do that - I will start doing my search.

[ShawnSpiker 10]

Two quick questions:

1- Do I have to change my wife's name? I believe this will connect things, as some documents will be her maiden name and others will be her married name. We were thinking to do when we apply for the N400. Any thoughts on that?

2- Can I get her an ID before our interview? Are we going to be allowed to do so?

 

[Crazy Cat 46,301]

29 minutes ago, ShawnSpiker said:

Two quick questions:

1- Do I have to change my wife's name? I believe this will connect things, as some documents will be her maiden name and others will be her married name. We were thinking to do when we apply for the N400. Any thoughts on that?

2- Can I get her an ID before our interview? Are we going to be allowed to do so?

 

1.  Some spouses never change their names.....Some choose to start using a new family (last) name after marriage, using the marriage certificate as a source document.  Others choose to wait until the N-400.  Your choice.  My wife never changed her family name.  It has not been an issue.  In what name did she complete her I-485 paperwork?

2.  A state ID? Depends on the requirements of the individual state.  

Edited 2 hours ago by Crazy Cat

[ShawnSpiker 10]

13 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

1.  Some spouses never change their names.....Some choose to start using a new family (last) name after marriage, using the marriage certificate as a source document.  Others choose to wait until the N-400.  Your choice.  My wife never changed her family name.  It has not been an issue.  In what name did she complete her I-485 paperwork?

2.  A state ID? Depends on the requirements of the individual state.  

Thank you - We did her maiden name on the 1-485.

 

[Crazy Cat 46,301]

10 minutes ago, ShawnSpiker said:

Thank you - We did her maiden name on the 1-485.

 

Then, her Green Card will be in her maiden name.  I would consider just waiting until the N-400 for a name change, if desired.  As I said, my wife never changed her name at all.  It has made things a LOT smoother considering her home-country documentation (passport, foreign investments, etc)  Here, in the US, she has gotten a military dependent ID card, Texas Driver's Licence, Naturalization Certificate, US Passport, Tax documents, US financial documents, etc. all in her maiden name......never had an issue at all. 

Edited 1 hour ago by Crazy Cat