Interpreter for I-485?

[KeeM006 0]

My wife is from Vietnam and understands some english and speaks very very basic english.  Does she need an interpreter for her to file i-485? Does this interpreter need to be a certified one or can it be a friend or family member that fluently speaks English and Vietnamese? The applicants certification states, "i am fluent in English and fully understand every question and instruction in this application..." I feel a little uncomfortable checking this box for her so my question relates to who the interpreter named can be. How did anyone with a spouse who did not speak very good English deal with this dilemma? Thank you for your time.

[Timona 4,207]

If you understand Vietnamese, you can be her interpreter.  If not, a family member/ friend can. It's not a must you have a certified one.

Similarly, I believe you can fill the I-485 and then check on the box that says she got help in preparation and then put your name as preparer. However, if the interview comes and you don't understand Vietnamese,  I believe that you will have to go with her and a family member or friend to interpret.

 

My FIL understands conversational English but can't write it. My MIL is bilingual. I prepared the forms for them and since he doesn't speak in English, I checked the box that said he got help in preparation of the document and put MIL as the preparer. Both attended the interview, both as couple and I believe she acted as his interpreter if situation called for....basically killing two birds with the same stone. 

Edited December 9, 2019 by Timona

[HRQX 4,145]

11 minutes ago, Timona said:

However, if the interview comes...

At the interview it's at the IO's discretion: "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. As such, family members will generally be disfavored as interpreters if there is another qualified interpreter available. 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." https://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/AFM/HTML/AFM/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-2449/0-0-0-2798.html

Edited December 9, 2019 by HRQX

[Timona 4,207]

23 minutes ago, HRQX said:

At the interview it's at the IO's discretion: "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. As such, family members will generally be disfavored as interpreters if there is another qualified interpreter available. 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." https://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/AFM/HTML/AFM/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-2449/0-0-0-2798.html

 

This too. Thanks @HRQX for addition