Urgent! Can I translate for my mother??

[PO'D 1]

My mom has an interview tomorrow (Chicago Office), and I am going with her to translate for her. She is over the age of 55, and has lived her for over 15 years. Can I go with her to translate the civics exam for her? Does anyone have any experience with this type of situation or know anyone that has been in a situation like this?

Thank in advance.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

No. Absolutely not. Not in a million years.

[PO'D 1]

No. Absolutely not. Not in a million years.

Whats your source??

[milimelo 4,479]

Whats your source??

Manual M-476 page 26. She may qualify to be exempt from English Language but she will have to take the civics test - she can take the test in the language of her choice.

She may be provided with an interpreter, not sure that a family member can come in and translate. Why not bring a friend (not related to her) to serve as an interpreter?

[PO'D 1]

Manual M-476 page 26. She may qualify to be exempt from English Language but she will have to take the civics test - she can take the test in the language of her choice.

She may be provided with an interpreter, not sure that a family member can come in and translate. Why not bring a friend (not related to her) to serve as an interpreter?

we did have someone, they just cancelled on us. time is tight too. i guess we will give it a try. ill let u know how it goes.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Whats your source??

The source is if YOU know the answers you're going to correct her wrong ones and they won't know you're doing it.

She needs an independent translator. One they're SURE wouldn't lie to help her immigrate. That said, I have yet to find something that specifies this, the booklet simply says "bring your own translator". I do remember one person who had an AOS interview and didn't take an independent translator but luckily someone waiting outside spoke their language. Yes it's only AOS and that's difft to Citizenship but wouldn't you prefer to hire someone and be SURE there won't be a problem? Rather than run the risk? I'll keep looking but it's hard to find...

Just for everyone else's info:

If she is over 55 and has her green card for more than 15 years or over 50 and 20 years with her green card, she qualifies to do the exam in her native language. The English test is not required. See this guide here: http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/M-618.pdf page 99 there is a little box that talks about the requirements for a test not in english.

This is the list of guide books in all languages: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=40a9b2149e7df110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=40a9b2149e7df110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD

[claudio 0]

part of the interview is an english test (speak/write/read) you need to know basic english to pass the interview you cannot bring an interpreter

[~krakatoa~ 27]

My mom has an interview tomorrow (Chicago Office), and I am going with her to translate for her. She is over the age of 55, and has lived her for over 15 years. Can I go with her to translate the civics exam for her? Does anyone have any experience with this type of situation or know anyone that has been in a situation like this?

Thank in advance.

USCIS reserves the right to disqualify an interpreter to ensure the integrity of the test and they must provide another interpreter. But it is best that you bring along another person with you and your mother on the day of her interview just in case USCIS disqualifies you and finds no other person available to interpret for her at the time.

There's also a good possibility probability that the IO or anyone from the USCIS speaks the language (for example, Spanish) but if they are pressed for time (which they usually are due to heavy workload), they might not find someone right away and can postpone the interview and re-schedule, which will cause further delay. Personally, I do not know of anyone who have experienced this but if I were in your shoes, I'd still try to find someone to go with your mother on her interview, just to be on the safe side. Good luck!

From the USCIS Adjudicator's Field Manual:

"(B) Selection and Use of an Interpreter .

(1) An interpreter may be selected by the applicant or USCIS if the applicant is exempt from the English literacy requirements, but is still required to demonstrate knowledge of U.S. government and history according to 8 CFR 312.4 . To ensure the integrity of the test, USCIS reserves the right to disqualify an interpreter. If USCIS disqualifies an interpreter, it must provide another interpreter for the applicant in a timely manner. The Officer who disqualifies an interpreter must make a written record of the reason(s) for disqualification as part of the record of application."

And for general info,

"(A) General Provisions for Testing Requirements and Exemptions .

Section 312(a)(1) of the INA imposes the English language requirement on naturalization applicants. This general requirement is clarified in 8 CFR 312.1 . Further, section 312(a)(2) of the INA imposes a U.S. history and civics requirement, clarified in 8 CFR 312.2 .

(1) Certain applicants are exempt from the English requirement under Section 312(b)(2) of the INA and 8 CFR 312.1(b) based on their age and time as a lawful permanent resident in the United States. Please note that while the two classes of applicants listed below are exempt from the English requirements, they are still required to demonstrate knowledge of U.S. government and history, but are allowed to do so in the language of their choice.

· A person who, on the date of filing of his or her application for naturalization, is over 50 years of age and has been living in the United States for periods totaling at least 20 years subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence;

· A person who, on the date of filing his or her application for naturalization, is over 55 years of age and has been living in the United States for periods totaling at least 15 years subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence;

(2) The following persons are required to demonstrate knowledge of the history and government of the United States, but they are allowed to do so in the language of their choice and are entitled to special consideration under Section 312(b)(3) of the INA.

· A person who, on the date of filing his or her application for naturalization, is over 65 years of age and has been living in the United States for periods totaling at least 20 years subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence."

[PO'D 1]

The source is if YOU know the answers you're going to correct her wrong ones and they won't know you're doing it.

She needs an independent translator. One they're SURE wouldn't lie to help her immigrate. That said, I have yet to find something that specifies this, the booklet simply says "bring your own translator". I do remember one person who had an AOS interview and didn't take an independent translator but luckily someone waiting outside spoke their language. Yes it's only AOS and that's difft to Citizenship but wouldn't you prefer to hire someone and be SURE there won't be a problem? Rather than run the risk? I'll keep looking but it's hard to find...

Just for everyone else's info:

If she is over 55 and has her green card for more than 15 years or over 50 and 20 years with her green card, she qualifies to do the exam in her native language. The English test is not required. See this guide here: http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/M-618.pdf page 99 there is a little box that talks about the requirements for a test not in english.

This is the list of guide books in all languages: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=40a9b2149e7df110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=40a9b2149e7df110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD

Just a heads up, my mom had her interview this morning and I did go along with her and.... she passed!!! They let me in with her and asked if i was her daughter and said it was ok, i took an oath also to tell the truth and i translated the questions for my mother and she answered all 6 correctly. Thank you for all your help and support!!

Guess you were wrong BOB!! You're "not in a million years" answer was very rude.

[csoul 0]

Just a heads up, my mom had her interview this morning and I did go along with her and.... she passed!!! They let me in with her and asked if i was her daughter and said it was ok, i took an oath also to tell the truth and i translated the questions for my mother and she answered all 6 correctly. Thank you for all your help and support!!

Guess you were wrong BOB!! You're "not in a million years" answer was very rude.

Is amazing how rude some people is and even worst when they don't have the right answer

Good to know that "Just Bob" was wrong...!

[NickD 202]

When your post stated, Urgent! Can I translate for my mother??" Assumed it was foreign documents and that answer is an indubitably yes. Since I didn't know the answer to your question, but someone pointed the the procedures, didn't reply. But with friends in the Chicago office meeting unseemingly unfair demands, was surprised they were very accommodating. It's refreshing to read positive comments about the USCIS, and congratulations to your mother.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Just a heads up, my mom had her interview this morning and I did go along with her and.... she passed!!! They let me in with her and asked if i was her daughter and said it was ok, i took an oath also to tell the truth and i translated the questions for my mother and she answered all 6 correctly. Thank you for all your help and support!!

Guess you were wrong BOB!! You're "not in a million years" answer was very rude.

Grats!! I'm happy it worked out

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

PO'D,

first of all, I can't find anything rude in my initial response. It was my way of saying "no way, Jose!, not in your wildest dreams," based solely on the fact that you have a very close personal interest in the well-doing of your mother. This clearly and overwhelmingly disqualifies you as an interpreter fur such purpose, even if you are the most honest person on Earth who would never do anything unkosher to help your mother.

One should never say never, but frankly, I'm not buying your story as you told it. Unless your mom spoke a language that the I.O. could understand quite well, he or she would have disqualified you on the spot, as there's no way to determine if she would be doing the test or you.

What I'm sayin' is: either you guys got as lucky as it can get, with all the stars aligned in your favor, or your story is a bit too much biased in regard to "gotcha, Bob!"

In any case, congratulations to your mom in passing the test.

[milimelo 4,479]

PO'D,

first of all, I can't find anything rude in my initial response. It was my way of saying "no way, Jose!, not in your wildest dreams," based solely on the fact that you have a very close personal interest in the well-doing of your mother. This clearly and overwhelmingly disqualifies you as an interpreter fur such purpose, even if you are the most honest person on Earth who would never do anything unkosher to help your mother.

One should never say never, but frankly, I'm not buying your story as you told it. Unless your mom spoke a language that the I.O. could understand quite well, he or she would have disqualified you on the spot, as there's no way to determine if she would be doing the test or you.

What I'm sayin' is: either you guys got as lucky as it can get, with all the stars aligned in your favor, or your story is a bit too much biased in regard to "gotcha, Bob!"

In any case, congratulations to your mom in passing the test.

I had interview in the same office (Chicago) and my husband and I observed several older people going in with their relatives for the interview.