Oftentimes those who are seeking a visa, residency or citizenship will be called into the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices for an interview before their application is approved. This is often done so that they can better gauge whether you are who you profess to be on your application. They also do this to discuss any issues with you that may prevent your application from being approved.
While no two interviews will be alike due to the differences in circumstances and agent interviewing styles, there are some steps that you can take to be better prepared for your appointment.
First, you should both arrive punctually and dress professionally for the appointment. Doing the opposite may reflect poorly on your case. If you miss your interview, it may take months to reschedule your appointment.
Before you arrive for your interview, you should also take time to both gather together your application and supporting documents and review them. This will ensure that you’re not fumbling through your paperwork to remember details when asked a question.
If you’re applying for a visa, residency or citizenship on the grounds that you’re engaged or married to an American citizen, then you should be prepared to answer questions about your relationship with him or her. If both of you are in attendance at the immigration appointment, then you may even be split up and questioned independently of one another about it.
You should also make every effort to closely listen and respond to the questions the USCIS agent asks of you. If your English-speaking ability is limited, then you may wish to bring a translator with you to your appointment. Doing so will help you avoid answering questions incorrectly and make it easier for you to communicate with the agent.
Some things that you should avoid at the interview include making any reference, joking or otherwise, about human or drug trafficking, or a spouse you’ve left behind in your home country. You also shouldn’t say you’re in poor health. Arguing with the agent or others while at your interview should be avoided as well.
If you are concerned about the unpredictability of the questions or how some incident in your past may impact your interview, then a Nashville immigration law attorney can help.
Source: FindLaw, “Immigration interview do’s and don’ts,” accessed Oct. 20, 2017