Immigration Law Is All About Family

Immigration interview: Your words and actions affect outcome

On Behalf of | Feb 7, 2019 | Firm News

You likely had a million thoughts running through your mind when you started your new life in Colorado. As an immigrant, you understood that you might encounter numerous challenges as you adjusted to the culture here. What you didn’t expect is that the U.S. government would suspect you of fraud and call your legal status into question.

Receiving a summons for interview from immigration officials is enough to cause anyone stress. Knowing that results may ultimately impede your ability to stay in the United States intensifies the worry. However, it’s always a good idea to learn as much as you can about the process ahead of time and to remain as calm as possible. Knowing where to seek legal support in a pinch is also often a key factor toward accomplishing your immigration goals.

Be prepared to answer personal questions

If the U.S. government calls you to an interview, it is because something in your case alerted immigration officers and caused them to suspect that your legal status is not legitimate or that you don’t qualify for permanent residency. The following list includes helpful tips to achieve positive interview results:

  • You should be prepared to discuss personal details about your life.
  • The interviewer may be subliminally influenced by your appearance. Casual, conservative business-style dress is best.
  • If you have a significant language barrier, you may want to ask an interpreter to accompany you to your meeting.
  • If you don’t know the answer to a question, it is always best to admit that. Trying to deceive an interviewer by faking an answer may have negative consequences.

You may feel uncomfortable talking to strangers, but it is critical that you answer honestly and as accurately as possible. Your interviewer has a lot of control over whether you pass or fail. Immigration fraud is problematic in many states and although you may not enjoy the process, an interview is your opportunity to show that you have not tried to beat the system and that you are eligible for a green card or a particular visa.

Who can help you prepare?

You may have legal questions about the immigration interview process. Especially if you are summoned to a Stokes interview, which specifically deals with whether or not your marriage is legitimate, you may want to discuss the laws that govern such matters. Many Colorado spouses meet with experienced immigration law attorneys ahead of time to seek clarification of their rights and how to maximize their chances of avoiding removal.