AOS Interview in Florida

[Mike and Adriana 0]

OK, so I got no replies to my other thread, so I thought I'd repackage part of it and "advertise" it another way.

The I-797 for my wife's AOS interview appointment indicates that a translator should be brought to the interview if the interviewee is not fluent in English. This is understandable as a general rule. Of course, Florida is full of Hispanics and many of the folks who go through immigration in Florida speak Spanish. My question is this....for any you have who have had AOS (other other) interviews in the Florida service centers (Orlando, specifically)....is it necessary to bring a translator if the interviewee speaks Spanish, but is not fluent in English?

Thanks,

Mike

[bora bora 1]

I started a post about this earlier and was told YES.

Here is the thread:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=63358

Edited April 23, 2007 by Bora Bora

[Mike and Adriana 0]

THank you very much, Bora Bora. I guess I'll plan to bring a translator. Just wanted to check. I can understand other languages, but at this point, Spanish is like this country's second language (particularlyin Florida and California and Texas)...so I just wondered.

Mike

I started a post about this earlier and was told YES.

Here is the thread:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=63358

[bora bora 1]

I know what you mean - I live in Florida. But I guess it's better to have one. CYA, right?

[athena_ny 1]

THank you very much, Bora Bora. I guess I'll plan to bring a translator. Just wanted to check. I can understand other languages, but at this point, Spanish is like this country's second language (particularlyin Florida and California and Texas)...so I just wondered.

Mike

I started a post about this earlier and was told YES.

Here is the thread:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=63358

My husband needs to be able to speak English, even in FL - don't see why he shouldn't have to at DHS.

[Mike and Adriana 0]

I am fully aware of the need for all immigrants to learn to communicate in English. My wife shares that opinion. How many immigrants do I see every day,in Florida, that have been here for many, many years and don't even have a basic command of the language. It is very unfortunate and also rather frustrating to me. However, that has absolutely nothing to do with this topic. Do you think every immigrant can become conversational in English in less than 6 months of arrival to this country (unless he or she has studied the language in advance)? My question had to do with the interview. As you may well know, in the state of Florida, you can get many services in Spanish. My wife, in fact, took her driver's license exam in Spanish and had her driving test admininstered by a lady who spoke Spanish. She appreciated that help. Hopefully sooner than later, she will not need such assistance. I find your comment to be condescending.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=63358

My husband needs to be able to speak English, even in FL - don't see why he shouldn't have to at DHS.

[athena_ny 1]

I am fully aware of the need for all immigrants to learn to communicate in English. My wife shares that opinion. How many immigrants do I see every day,in Florida, that have been here for many, many years and don't even have a basic command of the language. It is very unfortunate and also rather frustrating to me. However, that has absolutely nothing to do with this topic. Do you think every immigrant can become conversational in English in less than 6 months of arrival to this country (unless he or she has studied the language in advance)? My question had to do with the interview. As you may well know, in the state of Florida, you can get many services in Spanish. My wife, in fact, took her driver's license exam in Spanish and had her driving test admininstered by a lady who spoke Spanish. She appreciated that help. Hopefully sooner than later, she will not need such assistance. I find your comment to be condescending.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=63358

No, it has everything to do with this topic. As I said in your other post, you can't expect a translator to just "be" there. You might get lucky, you might not. My mother in law speaks very little English, and even here (very close to Tampa) we know we have to be there to provide assistance for her, not expect it from outside sources. So that's why it's prudent to bring your own translator, so the interview doesn't turn into a mess. It's not about expecting someone to be conversational - it's about needing to be able to speak English at the interview and if you can't, bringing a translator as someone who can for you.

Now that I read how I worded it, it did come across the wrong way, and I apologize. We appreciate every time someone helps my mother in law, but I'm just saying that you can't expect it - a message most of my family had to learn the hard way.