AOS and Interpreters

[poh 125]

Hi All

 

Has anyone have experienced at the AOS interview the use of a interpreter who may be a friend?  Would using a friend as an interpreter fail the interview?

 

According to the USCIS policy manual ,  

" In general, a disinterested party should be used as the interpreter. An officer may exercise discretion, however, to allow a friend or relative of the applicant to act as interpreter. If the officer is fluent in the applicant’s preferred language, the officer may conduct the examination in that language without use of an interpreter. 

 

USCIS reserves the right to disqualify an interpreter provided by the applicant if the officer believes the integrity of the examination is compromised by the interpreter’s participation or the officer determines the interpreter is not competent to translate. "

 

https://www.uscis.gov/policymanual/HTML/PolicyManual-Volume7-PartA-Chapter5.html

 

 

 

[T_P 872]

Honestly do you think a friend would be impartial? I dont know.....To me this looks a bit risky and considering that being a important step in your life I would do everything to avoid confusions and misinterpretations from USCIS meaning that I would probably try to hire someone or make sure that I am not taking someone who can actually play a negative role....(not saying that is going to be the case, just sharing what I think based on what I read.)

 

3. Impartial and Unbiased Individual  

The interpreter must be impartial and able to interpret without bias. An impartial and unbiased individual is one who does not have a predisposition or preconceived opinion about a matter. A predisposition or preconceived opinion may prevent the individual from interpreting information accurately, literally and fully or making a reliable interpreter declaration

Edited July 28, 2018 by T_P

[mushroomspore 3,044]

I just posted in someone else's thread about this. While they SAY they may allow a friend to be the interpreter, I also think it is risky as the officer may refuse to allow it. The officer may not be happy you brought a friend and at that point, the interview's gotten off to a negative start. The officer's a federal agent and government official, not a boss or job interviewer who happens to be a friend of a friend. Just hire an officially trained and certified interpreter to minimize the room for error and disapproval.

Edited July 28, 2018 by mushroomspore

[WandY 430]

Agree with other posts. Don't use a friend. There must be a lot of interpreters in Hawaii that can attend the interview, which for us, didn't amount to anything. Although Hawaii has a large population of foreign-born Asians, you might run into an official that won't trust a "friendly" interpreter. I hope your spouse is learning English and taking classes. My friends there (I attended Univ. of Hawaii at Manoa years ago) say the university has excellent ESL classes.

 

An interpreter shouldn't cost much. The AOS is nothing more than a formality. You'll be OK.