When the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) conducts an immigration interview, they will ask applicants several questions to verify that they are eligible and that all the information on their application is correct. Many people show up to their interview unprepared. If you attend your immigration interview unprepared, you risk your case being denied or even being deported back to your country of origin. To prevent these consequences, you must prepare for your immigration interview. Keep reading to learn how you can best prepare for your immigration interview. In addition, contact our adept Essex County Green Card Attorneys, who can help you prepare for the questions you will be asked at the interview and help protect your rights.
How should I prepare for my immigration interview?
To maximize your chances of reaching a favorable outcome, you should prepare for your immigration interview by:
- Arriving at your scheduled interview on time. It is imperative that you arrive at your immigration interview on time. If you are late, an immigration officer may deny your application. That said, arriving at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time slot is advised to ensure you have enough time if you encounter long lines. You should note that you cannot bring certain items into the immigration building. If you bring a prohibited item in, you may have to return to your car, making you late for your interview. Immigration officers will expect you to be on time.
- Dressing appropriately. To increase your chances of a favorable outcome, dress conservatively. The immigration process is serious. Therefore, you must dress professionally. Immigration officers may judge you based on the manner of your appearance.
- Waiting for your attorney. Under certain circumstances, the immigration officer may call you for your interview earlier than your scheduled time. If your attorney is absent, you must wait until they have arrived to begin your interview. If your attorney is not present, you may be unable to tell if an immigration officer is violating your legal rights. Do not agree to an interview without legal representation to safeguard your rights.
- Listening to the questions asked and answering them appropriately. When an immigration officer conducts an interview, they try to verify that you are eligible and that the information you provided on your application is valid. Therefore, they will ask various questions and expect you to provide them with specific answers. If you do not directly answer their questions, they may believe you are trying to hide information which could result in them denying your case. You should listen carefully and respond effectively to prevent this. It is critical to note that you must bring an interpreter if you are not fluent in English.
- Bringing pertinent documents and a set of copies. During your immigration interview, you must provide the immigration officer with the original documents. They will ask for duplicates to keep in their file. Therefore, you should bring copies to ensure the immigration officer can reference the documents when needed.
Contact an experienced Essex County green card attorney from the Law Offices of Christopher T. Howell, Esq. today to learn how we can help you prepare for your immigration interview. You need quality legal representation to protect your rights with this much at stake.
