Translator during Interview

[vancedan 5]

Are interview has finally been scheduled, but I noticed that on her NOA it said to bring a translator. My wife speaks Spanish, and very little English as of this point, so we figured being in Texas someone else would know; however, as I also speak Spanish, am I able to translate for her, or do I need to bring a third party?

Daniel

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Are interview has finally been scheduled, but I noticed that on her NOA it said to bring a translator. My wife speaks Spanish, and very little English as of this point, so we figured being in Texas someone else would know; however, as I also speak Spanish, am I able to translate for her, or do I need to bring a third party?

Daniel

There's a very strong possibility that the IO who conducts your interview will also speak Spanish. Spanish speaking people are as common as dirt in Texas, and USCIS seems to have a tendency to assign cases to IO's who are familiar with the beneficiary's culture. I sat in the waiting room at the USCIS office in San Francisco and watched while a Mexican couple was called in by a Mexican IO, an Indian couple was called in by an Indian IO, and and Chinese individual was called in by a Chinese IO. I guess they didn't have a Vietnamese IO because my wife was interviewed by another Chinese IO.

If the IO doesn't speak Spanish then you can translate for your wife. If the IO suspects you aren't translating accurately then they'll get a translator on the phone to participate.

We brought my wife's niece to help translate anything my wife and step-kids didn't understand.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Some couples have been fine having their spouse translate, some haven't. You would be better off bringing someone you know who speaks Spanish to make sure you're covered.

[Susita 175]

Are interview has finally been scheduled, but I noticed that on her NOA it said to bring a translator. My wife speaks Spanish, and very little English as of this point, so we figured being in Texas someone else would know; however, as I also speak Spanish, am I able to translate for her, or do I need to bring a third party?

Daniel

It wouldn't hurt to make a phone call and just ask.