AOS interview....I need advice

[janet3 1,170]

Okay guys......

 I need help.....

My husband’s AOS interview is scheduled for October 18th.

He has been attending English classes four days a week for the last eleven months and his English has improved greatly. BUT..... The letter for the AOS interview states “if you don’t speak English fluently bring a translator”

 

I am concerned about the interview...,

 

My husband speaks English and can answer questions.....but if someone speaks quickly or asks rapid fire questions he may not understand the question.

 

 I have tried to find an interpreter.....but nothing......I’ve contacted agencies....local immigration groups ...and universities.....no French speakers.

 

Any ideas on what to do?

 

 

 

 

[GreatDane 366]

21 minutes ago, janet3 said:

Okay guys......

 I need help.....

My husband’s AOS interview is scheduled for October 18th.

He has been attending English classes four days a week for the last eleven months and his English has improved greatly. BUT..... The letter for the AOS interview states “if you don’t speak English fluently bring a translator”

 

I am concerned about the interview...,

 

My husband speaks English and can answer questions.....but if someone speaks quickly or asks rapid fire questions he may not understand the question.

 

 I have tried to find an interpreter.....but nothing......I’ve contacted agencies....local immigration groups ...and universities.....no French speakers.

 

Any ideas on what to do?

 

  

 

 

The interpreter doesn't need to be certified - it can be anyone who speaks French. Given that it is a marriage based AOS case, you will most likely be unable to translate, however that determination is made by the officer. Any friend or person competent in both languages could accompany you. I guarantee you that someone local speaks French. It looks like Larson's Language Center or the University of Arkansas could be a good place to look. I'm sure a student somewhere would be willing to help for modest compensation. Just make sure they are reliable and willing to spend the time to attend.

[TBoneTX 45,288]

Thread is moved from the K-1 Process forum to the "AOS from K Visas" main forum.

[TBoneTX 45,288]

2 hours ago, janet3 said:

if someone speaks quickly or asks rapid fire questions he may not understand the question.

One option is for you to explain it to the IO exactly as you have to us, and to request that the IO speak slowly and clearly.  (If the IO is hostile, request a supervisor on the spot.)

 

In addition, this might be a perfunctory interview rather than an intense grilling, for all you know.

 

In what city is the interview, and at what time on Oct. 18?  He also speaks Arabic fluently, right?  Is French a must?

Can't promise anything, but might be able to snoop some on your behalf.

 

[janet3 1,170]

9 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

One option is for you to explain it to the IO exactly as you have to us, and to request that the IO speak slowly and clearly.  (If the IO is hostile, request a supervisor on the spot.)

 

In addition, this might be a perfunctory interview rather than an intense grilling, for all you know.

 

In what city is the interview, and at what time on Oct. 18?  He also speaks Arabic fluently, right?  Is French a must?

Can't promise anything, but might be able to snoop some on your behalf.

 

Most of me believes it will just be a perfunctory interview and that I am truly just worried about nothing. 

 

My fear is that I will not be allowed to explain it to the IO and we will be separated during the interview (and that my soft spoken husband will not ask the IO to repeat the question or speak more slowly)

 

The appointment is at 8am in Ft Smith, Arkansas. He does speak Arabic and Berber also. 

 

@GreatDane mentioned Larson’s Language Center (which never popped up while searching for interpreter.....and they are literally in the next town over......as crazy as that is) I contacted them this morning and they think they maybe able to find a interpreter for me.

 

 I truly appreciate the advice and help you and @GreatDane have given me. Thank you both so much!

[TBoneTX 45,288]

That sounds promising.  Optimally find an interpreter who has done previous immigration work.

 

Report back ASAP on your success or lack thereof, because Mrs. T-B. can almost certainly help in your search.

 

Your husband should also be fluent in Algeria's national language:  Algebra!  

[janet3 1,170]

On 9/18/2018 at 11:14 AM, TBoneTX said:

That sounds promising.  Optimally find an interpreter who has done previous immigration work.

 

Report back ASAP on your success or lack thereof, because Mrs. T-B. can almost certainly help in your search.

 

Your husband should also be fluent in Algeria's national language:  Algebra!  

Hahaha... not fluent in Algebra.....arithmetic is questionable 😉

 

Larson’s language school couldn’t help me. They referred me to the one French speaking court interpreter(the phone number has been disconnected)

 

I’ve sent email out to the University of Arkansas Little Rock (UofA Fayetteville is my local  University)

 

I have a friend that works at Walmart home office....She is also looking....

 

I’ve reached out to a interpreter service in Oklahoma....but I haven’t heard anything from them.

 

Please tell Ms T-B thank you! If she has any ideas I would greatly appreciate it! 

 

Thank you so much for your help!

 

So.....if the absolutely “worst case scenario” happens and he is denied AOS at the interview.....what happens? I am a little confused (because it seems to happen infrequently)....is there another interview? Is he detained? Going before a judge? 

[TBoneTX 45,288]

I'll tell Mrs. T-B. to get on this.  Watch for a PM (not immediately, but hopefully soon).  In terms of a broad potential pool, will either French or Arabic be OK?

 

If AOS is denied, he will be detained, and a judge will order him to take remedial Algebra.

[lyra14 6]

Just wanted to share my recent interview experience. I, too, was very worried about finding an interpreter for my husband. Thankfully, we managed to find one last minute. When we arrived for the appointment, they told us that we might not be able to use the interpreter because they offer interpreter services themselves, and that we had to call to schedule one 2 weeks prior to the day of the interview appointment. I was rather surprised by this because no matter where I researched about the use of interpreters for interviews, I couldn't find anything to suggest we can't bring our own. 😕

[janet3 1,170]

6 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

I'll tell Mrs. T-B. to get on this.  Watch for a PM (not immediately, but hopefully soon).  In terms of a broad potential pool, will either French or Arabic be OK?

 

If AOS is denied, he will be detained, and a judge will order him to take remedial Algebra.

He is more comfortable with French but either work.

 

 Thank you so very much!

[janet3 1,170]

17 minutes ago, janet3 said:

He is more comfortable with French but either work.

 

 Thank you so very much!

Apologies......

 I tried to correct this before it posted.....

He’s more comfortable in French because the version of Arabic he speaks is the slang version (and apparently classical school taught Arabic is quite different than the slang version)

[janet3 1,170]

6 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

 

 

If AOS is denied, he will be detained, and a judge will order him to take remedial Algebra.

It would be a nightmare to be detained and then having to learn Algebra on top of that.....that’s just torture  😀

 

 

[TBoneTX 45,288]

Slang Algebra is easier, J3 ma'am.

[Diamondgeezer 7]

How straight forward is your case? has it been?...... mine was fairly straight forward, i was so nervous prior to the interview, had taken soooooooo much paperwork, photos, evidence with us... basically our lives in a folder... a heavy one!....... interview lasted 20 minutes of IO filling forms... he asked us to confirm our address and that i am now working then said goodbye, literally!!!

 

the point here really is that if your marriage is bonafide at the point you go for an interview, you have nothing to worry about, USCIS have already established their beliefs about your marriage.

 

i am white English my wife white American we both have all social media open source..... interview simple as pie approved on the spot

 

someone i know.... black Nigerian, his wife white American.... 16 years age difference ... neither has social media.... their interview lasted 2 hours they were split up and grilled.......BUT ...asked for more joint utilities and approved after 2 weeks

 

sorry for waffling the point is he may not even need a interpreter... you may well be together for the whole thing. you can interpret for him, if USCIS feels you cannot do that at interview you may well have a huge red flag there in itself

 

 

[Diamondgeezer 7]

20 minutes ago, Diamondgeezer said:

How straight forward is your case? has it been?...... mine was fairly straight forward, i was so nervous prior to the interview, had taken soooooooo much paperwork, photos, evidence with us... basically our lives in a folder... a heavy one!....... interview lasted 20 minutes of IO filling forms... he asked us to confirm our address and that i am now working then said goodbye, literally!!!

 

the point here really is that if your marriage is bonafide at the point you go for an interview, you have nothing to worry about, USCIS have already established their beliefs about your marriage.

 

i am white English my wife white American we both have all social media open source..... interview simple as pie approved on the spot

 

someone i know.... black Nigerian, his wife white American.... 16 years age difference ... neither has social media.... their interview lasted 2 hours they were split up and grilled.......BUT ...asked for more joint utilities and approved after 2 weeks

 

sorry for waffling the point is he may not even need a interpreter... you may well be together for the whole thing. you can interpret for him, if USCIS feels you cannot do that at interview you may well have a huge red flag there in itself

 

 

if you bomb the first interview you will get a RFE and/or a stokes interview.... 2nd interview with hundreds of questions whilst seperated.... be cool about it... it seems you already have the american flag in your blood from birth... USCIS likes that and your married, bonafide i assume, wheres the problem? i also attended Fort Smith for my interview, my IO was a super nice guy, honestly like a buddy... no kidding, he was answering his own questions mostly

Edited September 22, 2018 by Diamondgeezer