Interview for ROC- Do i need to appoint a lawyer?

[Avia 7]

Hi guys

So i do not have much evidence in my case due to the circumstances. I am filing ROC with waiver, spouse deceased. They have sent RFE and i forwarded whatever documents i could gather but when i called they told me that they are waiting to set me up for an interview and  i should receive letter from them with the date soon. I have few questions.

 

1. Do i need a lawyer at this stage? oR should i wait for the interview to be completed first? Has anyone gone through similar situation? if anyone could share their ideas thank you.

 

2. My extension letter will expire in few days. Do i need to make infopass and get stamp in my passport before i get the interview date Or should i just wait for the interview date and no need to get stamp now?

 

please advise.Thanks.

 

[mindthegap 2,605]

13 minutes ago, Avia said:

1. Do i need a lawyer at this stage? oR should i wait for the interview to be completed first? 

If you think you do, yes. 

 

13 minutes ago, Avia said:

Do i need to make infopass and get stamp in my passport before i get the interview date Or should i just wait for the interview date and no need to get stamp now?

If you need proof of status (for travel, license renewal etc), and fancy enduring another visit to USCIS, then get a stamp. If not, then don't.

There is no legal requirement to get one after expiry of the initial 1year extension, so it is purely down to whether whether you need to.

Note that your 1year extension runs 1year from the date of expiry on your 2year card - and not 1year from the date on your extension letter.

Edited July 23, 2017 by mindthegap

[Coco8 1,042]

If you are unsure about something and do not want to the interview alone, you can get a lawyer who can go to the interview with you. But if you do get one, get one with references and make sure it is a good one.

[Going through 5,671]

If you use a lawyer---be aware that the lawyer can't actually speak or answer any questions on your behalf.  They can only sit there silently for moral support (unless the IO asks you a question that is illegal for them to ask, which is unlikely).

 

So...yeah...you're paying them a lot of money to basically sit there and do nothing.  Not saying you can't decide to bring a lawyer if you wish, just wanted to make you aware they can't actually take part in the interview in any way.

Edited July 23, 2017 by Going through

[mindthegap 2,605]

43 minutes ago, Going through said:

So...yeah...you're paying them a lot of money to basically sit there and do nothing. 

A bit like USCIS then 

[shell20 746]

12 hours ago, mindthegap said:

A bit like USCIS then 

Sorry I know the OP is asking a valid question, but isn't that the truth, couldn't stop laughing, so much so I spluttered out my cup of tea!

 

[shell20 746]

14 hours ago, Avia said:

Hi guys

So i do not have much evidence in my case due to the circumstances. I am filing ROC with waiver, spouse deceased. They have sent RFE and i forwarded whatever documents i could gather but when i called they told me that they are waiting to set me up for an interview and  i should receive letter from them with the date soon. I have few questions.

 

1. Do i need a lawyer at this stage? oR should i wait for the interview to be completed first? Has anyone gone through similar situation? if anyone could share their ideas thank you.

 

2. My extension letter will expire in few days. Do i need to make infopass and get stamp in my passport before i get the interview date Or should i just wait for the interview date and no need to get stamp now?

 

please advise.Thanks.

 

I believe its utterly normal to be called for interview when a spouse has died. Sorry for your loss. I don't feel you need a lawyer, unless you feel you have not submitted enough evidence? I don't know what evidence they needed for the rfe.  It's hard enough to lose your spouse without an interview, but the interviews don't seem to be as bad as they may sometimes be portrayed.

Just gather as much evidence as possible regarding your marriage, your partners death etc. I am not sure if you can take a friend with you to the interview for moral support, perhaps someone else on the forum will know.

 

I do know there was one person on the forum in your predicament, they lost their spouse and were sent for interview. They post often on here, so they might be able to enlighten you a bit more.  Please don't worry and I wouldn't personally hire a lawyer myself unless the case is complicated. Good luck and let us know when you get your 10 year card.

[Going through 5,671]

3 hours ago, shell20 said:

I believe its utterly normal to be called for interview when a spouse has died. Sorry for your loss. I don't feel you need a lawyer, unless you feel you have not submitted enough evidence? I don't know what evidence they needed for the rfe.  It's hard enough to lose your spouse without an interview, but the interviews don't seem to be as bad as they may sometimes be portrayed.

Just gather as much evidence as possible regarding your marriage, your partners death etc. I am not sure if you can take a friend with you to the interview for moral support, perhaps someone else on the forum will know.

 

I do know there was one person on the forum in your predicament, they lost their spouse and were sent for interview. They post often on here, so they might be able to enlighten you a bit more.  Please don't worry and I wouldn't personally hire a lawyer myself unless the case is complicated. Good luck and let us know when you get your 10 year card.

She can take a friend with her but they'll have to sit in the waiting room---they won't be allowed inside the actual interview room.