Immigration Marriage Interviews
Green card marriage visas have taken on a bit of a reputation as being the easiest way to legally gain a visa in the United States, but presuming that the Green Card marriage interviews are simple and easy would be a huge mistake. On the contrary, these interviews are known for being extremely grueling and painful events that put even the most daunting employment interviews to shame. Nevertheless, steps can be taken to ensure the best possible results and to reduce the stress and anxiety to minimum levels.
You can begin by gathering the documentation that you will need for your marriage based green card interview, which are enumerated in the exhaustive list mailed to you by the USCIS. The next step is probably the most important, and it is to be on time for your immigration marriage interview. Naturally, it is advisable to be at least 45 minutes early. You must dress formally and conservatively, because it will make an immediate impact and impression on your officers. You need to be well organized and listen and respond appropriately to each of the questions. The interviews usually last between 30 to 45 minutes, so not being overly talkative towards the officer will make everyone’s time easier. One of the biggest mistakes a person can make is to guess when he or she does not know the answer to a particular question. Instead of guessing at an answer and getting it wrong it’s always advisable to say “I do not know” or “I don’t remember”. During the interview, there will be questions asked about the foundational history of the relationship, like when you first met, what was eaten, etc. The idea will be to present the journey from meeting up to engagement to marriage. If for any reason the officer suspects that the marriage may not be legit, be prepared to be separated to answer questions individually. The answers to these questions will then be compared against your spouse, determining the legitimacy of the relationship. The best way to prepare for this occurrence is to quiz each other on personal information. One of the final steps is to be prepared with the proper documents by bringing the originals and a complete set of duplicates to give to the USCIS officer.
The final steps would most likely to seek the assistance of an attorney. The fact is, every year 450,000 citizens marry foreign nationals, out of which a large percentage is assumed to be for immigration purposes only. The USCIS is aware of this, and are prepared with several abusive and psychologically grueling strategies to battle it. The USCIS certainly does not take immigration marriage visas lightly, and neither should you. The guidance of an expert immigration attorney backing you at every step of the proceeding can certainly make the difference between residence granted and residence denied. What was listed above was just a small list of the things involved with the marriage visa process, with countless more details that a well experienced attorney would be able to verse you in.
If you have questions about your Green Card marriage interview and what steps you should take preparing for one, please consult the team here at Buda Law Group. We will be happy to guide you through the process.
Thank You,
John B. Buda, Esq. www.budalawgroup.netoffice: 310-452-1872 john.buda@budalawgroup.net 3301 Ocean Park Blvd. Suite 205 Santa Monica, CA 90405
