AOS interview - language difficulties

[sleepless in OR 2]

Or perhaps the interviewer actually spoke French and was listening in hoping to trip them up. They are sneaky like that.

t

As far as I know you are allowed to bring a licensed interpreter. You can not translate anything yourself for your husband during the interview, so if in doubt, I'd say go for the interpreter. We were in the same position as well, but luckily were transferred to CSC and didn't have an interview.

Actually, you can interpret for your spouse during the interview if they are not fluent in English. We had a successful interview yesterday, and I translated everything - from the oath to the very end - for my husband to make sure he understood well what was being said. There was no issue with me translating.

That is highly unusual from what I've heard. It even goes against their own regulations (see my previous post with the relevant CFR). Part of the reason for the AOS interview is to establish that the relationship is bonafide and was not entered into for the purpose of immigration benefits. A couple communicating amongst themselves in a language foreign to the interviewer would really make it hard to make that determination.

It doesn't make sense for them to allow the spouse to translate...you could be making up what they're saying for all the AO knows.

All I am doing is relating our experience. I think an astute officer would be able to tell if you were trying to pull a fast one. There is a lot involved in communication other than the actual words spoken. Anyway, each to their own as to whether to have a third party interpreter. In our case, we didn't, and all went well. That's all I was trying to say.

[Jenn! 918]

sleepless in OR,

I don't think anyone's trying to discount your experience or say it didn't happen. It's great that you had a successful interview, don't get us wrong.

Personally though, I think your experience was unusual. I wouldn't want anyone to get the impression that bringing an interpreter was "optional" if the beneficiary is not sufficiently fluent for the interview. Regulations and other anecdotal evidence definitely say otherwise.

[athena_ny 1]

sleepless in OR,

I don't think anyone's trying to discount your experience or say it didn't happen. It's great that you had a successful interview, don't get us wrong.

Personally though, I think your experience was unusual. I wouldn't want anyone to get the impression that bringing an interpreter was "optional" if the beneficiary is not sufficiently fluent for the interview. Regulations and other anecdotal evidence definitely say otherwise.

I would hate for someone to think it was the rule and not be able to have their interview because of it. This is why we're warning against it - truth be told, your spouse interpreting IS a conflict of interests.

[Creel 0]

I'm confused where you get from this paragraph that a spouse can not interpret. I don't think you are considered a witness and no other category mentioned would in a stretch of the imagination apply to a spouse. Heaven only knows where we would get an Albanian interpreter here in California when only about 4,000 Albanians even live in the State. I figure they will have to talk slow so he can understand. Our evidence of a real relationship is overwhelming and I doubt that the interviewer having to use simple words in their questions will hinder their ability to determine that.

ETA:

An applicant unable to proceed with the interview in English must provide, at no expense to the Service, a competent interpreter fluent in both English and the applicant's native language or any other language in which the applicant is fluent. The interpreter must be at least 18 years of age. Neither the applicant's attorney or representative of record, a witness testifying on the applicant's behalf, nor a representative or employee of the applicant's country of nationality, or if stateless, country of last habitual residence, may serve as the applicant's interpreter. Failure without good cause to comply with this paragraph may be considered a failure to appear for the interview for purposes of § 208.10.

(8 CFR 208.10(g))

[Jenn! 918]

I'm confused where you get from this paragraph that a spouse can not interpret. I don't think you are considered a witness and no other category mentioned would in a stretch of the imagination apply to a spouse. Heaven only knows where we would get an Albanian interpreter here in California when only about 4,000 Albanians even live in the State. I figure they will have to talk slow so he can understand. Our evidence of a real relationship is overwhelming and I doubt that the interviewer having to use simple words in their questions will hinder their ability to determine that.

ETA:

An applicant unable to proceed with the interview in English must provide, at no expense to the Service, a competent interpreter fluent in both English and the applicant's native language or any other language in which the applicant is fluent. The interpreter must be at least 18 years of age. Neither the applicant's attorney or representative of record, a witness testifying on the applicant's behalf, nor a representative or employee of the applicant's country of nationality, or if stateless, country of last habitual residence, may serve as the applicant's interpreter. Failure without good cause to comply with this paragraph may be considered a failure to appear for the interview for purposes of § 208.10.

(8 CFR 208.10(g))

You're right, it's not clear to me either from that the spouse can not be the interpreter, although the spouse could possible be considered a "witness testifying on the applicant's behalf". Maybe someone else can cite a source where it is more clear.

From the ***removed*** site: "Interpreter

If you are not comfortable in English, you need to bring a friend, relative or hire an interpreter to help. The interpreter must be over 18 and fluent in both your language and English. The interpreter must be legal resident or US citizen.

Interpreter is not provided by USCIS at the interview in the US. Even though some officers may speak either Spanish or other languages, you may not get such officer and you can't request one.

For marriage based green card interview, your spouse won't be allowed to be an interpreter as it reduces USCIS's ability to compare the answers and detect marriage frauds."

http://www.***removed***/greencard/adjustme.../interview.html

Maybe I can find some old threads to show some examples. Over the years on VJ I have read more than one example where speaking to the spouse in a foreign language during the interview has caused big problems.

[Jenn! 918]

There are some links in this thread: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...;hl=interpreter

meauxna points out that policy seems to vary by district office...

[bora bora 1]

Wow, thanks you guys

I had no idea.

I'm actually at my fiance's ESOL class now - I brought my laptop to do some school work (and VJ) while he studies. He is working very hard at learning, but he knew nothing when he came (3 weeks ago). Therefore, I'm not sure that he'll feel comfortable at the time of the interview.

We know someone whose Brazilian fiance had an interview the same day as us and lives about 45 minutes away from us. I'm sure she would interpret for us and I'd gladly do the same for her since her fiance has just begun to study English as well.

I can always call the local office once we know of the AOS interview to verify this information.

[Jenn! 918]

Wow, thanks you guys

I had no idea.

I'm actually at my fiance's ESOL class now - I brought my laptop to do some school work (and VJ) while he studies. He is working very hard at learning, but he knew nothing when he came (3 weeks ago). Therefore, I'm not sure that he'll feel comfortable at the time of the interview.

We know someone whose Brazilian fiance had an interview the same day as us and lives about 45 minutes away from us. I'm sure she would interpret for us and I'd gladly do the same for her since her fiance has just begun to study English as well.

I can always call the local office once we know of the AOS interview to verify this information.

That's a good plan. Best of luck!

[GabachaYucateca 0]

I'm just dandy with getting my fellow an interpreter. In fact, I worked with an interpreters' co-op for a while! Heck, they better do it for free!

But someone's comment leads me to another question. Will we both be in the same room during the interview? If so, how the heck are we supposed to talk to each other if we can't talk in Spanish? Do I have to speak through the interpreter? Very weird.

[florida_guy07 0]

It also makes me wonder, I am learning portuguese and my wife of course speaks fluent english (she's been here for almost 7 yrs), and we talk in portuguese a LOT so I can learn, will we not be allowed to speak to each other in portuguese if we want to during the interview ? Not that I will argue with the officer if he asks us to talk in english, but I really just want to know so I won't even say a word to her in portuguese.

[athena_ny 1]

It also makes me wonder, I am learning portuguese and my wife of course speaks fluent english (she's been here for almost 7 yrs), and we talk in portuguese a LOT so I can learn, will we not be allowed to speak to each other in portuguese if we want to during the interview ? Not that I will argue with the officer if he asks us to talk in english, but I really just want to know so I won't even say a word to her in portuguese.

Personally, I wouldn't. Like said above, it could get you in trouble. We talk Spanish so I can learn, so I can talk to his mom more, but I'm not saying one word in Spanish, even though if biometrics is any clue, the IO might be fluent in Spanish. (Not one person who didn't speak Spanish there at the ASC.)

Half the time when I talk to him in Spanish, he answers in English anyway. He's all "we can speak Spanish when my English is 100 percent"

[bora bora 1]

My fiance and I speak in Portuguese all the time only because he has just started learning English - and knows very very little. We do try to practice in English but it's mostly phrases and words for him to practice pronunciation - no sentences yet.

We will do whatever we can - however it needs to be done - in order to be approved without problems.

Who knows, in a few months maybe my baby will speak well enough to be interviewed.

[Ladylethal 12]

I am sure that if he doesn't speak English well and you too want to talk about something, you'll be allowed to do so in Portuguese, but I wouldn't advise doing it during the interview, I mean, there's no reason to be chatting during the interview anyway.

[bora bora 1]

That's what I thought Laura...! lol

[kreygore 0]

I know I'm thinking ahead of myself - but what if our AOS interview comes along and my husband is not yet fluent in English?

He has done exceptionally well since his arrival 3 1/2 weeks ago, but I don't know that he'll be fluent by the time we have our interview.

I know we're talking about the future here, but has anyone gone through this? Does it depend where the interview is?

We were allowed to get a relative in another state to translate over the phone. My wife is Cambodian, and we do not know any other Cambodians in Oklahoma. This may be the only reason they allowed this and it required a consultation with a supervisor. We are in the DORA program; this may have been a factor also.