Interview Inquiry

[Michelle X Huang 0]

I am currently waiting for the interview notice from the mail, and trying to prepare everything ahead.  My husband and I communicate in our own dialect,  he only understands basic English, but when it turns to speaking, he's still unable to communicate with people fluently.  I am thinking to be his translator during the interview.  Is there anyone have any experience on this?  Will the interviewer allow me to be his translator? 

[Crazy Cat 41,879]

I seriously doubt the CO would allow you to be his translator.  Usually, interviewees are given the option of English or native language.

[Michelle X Huang 0]

Really? When I contacted USCIS, they say they will not provide translator, if we think we need one, we need to find one ourselves.

[Crazy Cat 41,879]

3 minutes ago, Michelle X Huang said:

Really? When I contacted USCIS, they say they will not provide translator, if we think we need one, we need to find one ourselves.

I would email the embassy for their policy.

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

The embassy, especially in the beneficiaries home country, also offer English or native language. Think about it, would a CO who is trying to ask someone questions want their fiance to translate for them? The fiance is biased and could say whatever they wanted to the CO regardless of what the beneficiary actually said. Would definitely be a conflict of interest. 

[USS_Voyager 1,972]

7 minutes ago, Michelle X Huang said:

Really? When I contacted USCIS, they say they will not provide translator, if we think we need one, we need to find one ourselves.

Where is the interview going to take place? If it's the Embassy in his home country, they will provide an interpreter. Be aware that chances the American consular officer is also fluent in whatever language of the country they're posted at. 

[Crazy Cat 41,879]

8 minutes ago, Michelle X Huang said:

Really? When I contacted USCIS, they say they will not provide translator, if we think we need one, we need to find one ourselves.

This is from https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/GUZ_Guangzhou.html#pre_interview_checklist

 

[Michelle X Huang 0]

I think I am misleading everyone now...

He is in the US already, he is now waiting for the Green Card interview, and he is still learning English, thus I doubt if he can communicate fluently with the office during the interview here..

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

Still doubt they would allow you to translate, again same issue, not to say you would lie or deceive them during the interview, but think of it from their point of view. If they do not have a translator, you may need to find one. "Common" foreign language like Spanish and such are not too hard for any office to supply.... I just don't know why they would allow the persons spouse to translate and potentially change answers. Not saying you'd do it, but I'm sure there are people out there who would.

Edited April 5, 2019 by Ben&Zian

[Michelle X Huang 0]

1 minute ago, Ben&Zian said:

Still doubt they would allow you to translate, again same issue, not to say you would lie or deceive them during the interview, but think of it from their point of view.

Yeah, I know, I also think they may not allow me to do the translation, because of the relationship.

[Crazy Cat 41,879]

4 minutes ago, Michelle X Huang said:

I think I am misleading everyone now...

He is in the US already, he is now waiting for the Green Card interview, and he is still learning English, thus I doubt if he can communicate fluently with the office during the interview here..

Oh.....OK......unlikely to have a Mandarin speaker there...LOL....but doubtful that they would allow you to translate, imo.

Edited April 5, 2019 by missileman

[USS_Voyager 1,972]

13 minutes ago, Michelle X Huang said:

I think I am misleading everyone now...

He is in the US already, he is now waiting for the Green Card interview, and he is still learning English, thus I doubt if he can communicate fluently with the office during the interview here..

Oh, this is the AOS interview. Yeah, they don't provide an interpreter there. Not sure if they will allow you to translate, probably not. He's just gonna have to "wing it"

Edited April 5, 2019 by USS_Voyager

[geowrian 22,337]

USCIS AFM: https://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/AFM/HTML/AFM/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-2449/0-0-0-2798.html

Key section:

"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.

 

Officers must consider potential conflicts of interest between an interviewee and his or her proposed interpreter, as well as any other circumstances that might interfere with the interpreter's ability to provide an accurate, literal, and full interpretation. Interpreters and the interviewees must disclose any relationship, predisposition, or preconceived opinion that could affect the interpreter's objectivity and consequently his or her ability to provide impartial and objective interpretation during the interview. For example, some friends, family members, or persons with financial connections to the interviewee (e.g. business partners) could have either actual conflicts of interest with the interviewee or have a strong personal interest in the interviewee obtaining the immigration benefit at issue such that the proposed interpreter is not able to provide impartial and unbiased interpretation services.⁹ As such, family members will generally be disfavored as interpreters if there is another qualified interpreter available to the customer. Upon disclosure, the officer must use his or her discretion in making a determination as to whether the circumstances will interfere with the interpreter's ability to interpret objectively and provide an accurate and truthful interpretation of the information conveyed during the interview. If the officer determines that despite the relationships or other circumstances disclosed, the interpreter can still provide competent, impartial and unbiased interpretation, then the interpreter may normally be accepted.¹⁰ "

 

So yes it is possible, but don't count on it. The IO can reject you as one.

[Marieke H 2,509]

The AOS interview will usually be with both of you. They probably won't let you translate everything for him, but you can help a little bit. Or bring an interpreter if you feel he really needs it.

The AOS interview will mostly be about all the questions on the I-485. Did he fill out the form himself, and does he understand all the questions? I remember a post about an AOS interview where the spouse had completed the form for the immigrant and the officer was not convinced that the immigrant understood the form. So make sure he at least understands the I-485.

[MrsRamirez 231]

22 hours ago, Michelle X Huang said:

I am currently waiting for the interview notice from the mail, and trying to prepare everything ahead.  My husband and I communicate in our own dialect,  he only understands basic English, but when it turns to speaking, he's still unable to communicate with people fluently.  I am thinking to be his translator during the interview.  Is there anyone have any experience on this?  Will the interviewer allow me to be his translator? 

Interview should be offered in his first language