AOS interview - different native languages

[Mary and Enrique 8]

Hi, fellow VJ-ers!

So my husband and I are starting to think about our Aug 4th interview, and I am reading some mixed experiences about what to do in a situation like ours. I'd love to get any opinions, experiences, or thoughts you might have on the subject.

Many people have noted in the forums that not speaking the same language is a red flag for the USCIS. When my husband and I met, I spoke very little Spanish and he spoke very little English. A year later, he can now speak basic English (as in, dinner conversation, express feelings on basic subjects, no legal terms or anything like that), and my Spanish is semi-fluent (as in, I can explain virtually any concept to him, but not as eloquently as a native speaker, and I can generally understand even complex terms coming from him). Many people recommend that you bring an interpreter if your s/o doesn't speak English fluently, and while I don't want to leave any i's undotted or any t's uncrossed in our interview preparation, I also feel very confident in my ability to communicate with my partner in our very real and sincere relationship, and think that perhaps it would be more useful for the IO to see that we do, in fact, communicate very easily, even if it's a little differently than some couples do. I keep wavering as to whether bringing an interpreter will signal that we are serious and prepared, or rather suggest that we aren't confident that we can communicate efficiently without one.

We speak mostly Spanish in the home, because I'm always practicing to communicate better with my in-laws. It's for this reason that I'm not particularly uncomfortable with the idea of interpreting for my husband, or even conducting the interview in spanish if that service is offered. I'm just saying, I'm not a pro by any means, and I would hate to get on the IO's bad side by wasting any time with needing something repeated.

By the way, we're going to the Durham office, where I tried to accompany my husband for his biometrics appointment to help him through any language problems, but was held at the door on the grounds that they have spanish-speaking officers (although of course, we can't assume we're going to automatically get one).

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

[rubyred 0]

i think having a third-party interpreter on stand-by would be your best bet - you don't want the IO thinking that you're 'speaking for' your husband if you're translating his answers for the IO. there's a good chance your IO will be spanish-speaking, anyway.

[NArocks 13]

For me here in Newark when I arrived to the window and gave the appointment letter I asked for someone who spoke SPanish. We had to wait about an hour longer, the whole interview was done in SPanish. I had to asks once or twice for an explanation on a few works the interviewer said. My husband was so much more comfortable with this interview in SPanish as he has a tendency when he does not understand something in English to just say yes.

Good luck

Edit, however I do not think it a good idea for you to interpret. Better to bring someone you know does not have to be certified

Edited June 29, 2009 by NArocks

[Idalia 0]

In our interview letter it said specifically to bring an interpreter if the beneficiary didn't speak fluent english. I don't know if they have spanish speaking officers in our local office (Buffalo) but we were not offered, and actually were advised by our lawyer to bring an interpreter, and went as far as saying that USCIS prefered a same sex interpreter, I imagine in case they have to ask intimate questions (as if that would make it any easier ). It could be anyone, doesn't have to be certified, just fluent in both languages. That said, if they didn't ask you to bring one, maybe they do have officers that speak spanish in their office. Wouldn't hurt to ask beforehand though. Good luck in your interview!!

Idalia

[Mary and Enrique 8]

thanks, everyone!

I was leaning against bringing someone, but after all your suggestions it seems like it's the right thing to do. I hate to put someone out if they aren't even let in the door (like I wasn't for biometrics), but when you look at the big picture it's better to be safe than sorry.

Now to start hitting up friends for a favor, ha ha. thanks again!

[trillium13 84]

thanks, everyone!

I was leaning against bringing someone, but after all your suggestions it seems like it's the right thing to do. I hate to put someone out if they aren't even let in the door (like I wasn't for biometrics), but when you look at the big picture it's better to be safe than sorry.

Now to start hitting up friends for a favor, ha ha. thanks again!

Kind of a threadjack, but why wouldn't they let you in at the bio appt? Just curious.

[Mary and Enrique 8]

thanks, everyone!

I was leaning against bringing someone, but after all your suggestions it seems like it's the right thing to do. I hate to put someone out if they aren't even let in the door (like I wasn't for biometrics), but when you look at the big picture it's better to be safe than sorry.

Now to start hitting up friends for a favor, ha ha. thanks again!

Kind of a threadjack, but why wouldn't they let you in at the bio appt? Just curious.

no problem -- the conversation went like this:

guard: "why are you giving me [your ids]?"

me: "oh, because you asked the other people for theirs and I thought it might help to have them ready"

guard: "no. why are you here?"

me: "my husband has a biometrics appointment"

guard: "I need the letter"

*give him the letter*

guard: "OK, he can go. You need to go wait in the car, we have no room for you to wait inside."

me: "I can't go in to help him with any interpreting he may need?"

guard: "no."

me: "so there will be someone who speaks Spanish and can help him?"

guard: *give me a look as though I'm retarded and/or annoying*

Really, he did not even dignify my last question with a response. I didn't want to irritate him any further, so I just went out to the car, since I was pretty sure the husband was going to be okay regardless. I didn't feel like I was being unreasonable or pushy, but you know how it goes...you're pretty much at the mercy of whoever's working that day!