If you are applying for a green card through a marriage-based petition, the interview process may be something that is weighing heavily on your mind. Today, the team at McBean Law will talk about the top things to expect at this interview in an attempt to dispel these worries.
If you are interested in more topics like this, please consider subscribing to our newsletter to get weekly updates on immigration news, relevant topics, and more! You can also find us on YouTube where we do weekly Q&A sessions.
LaToya McBean Pompy is an immigration lawyer who immigrated to the United States from Jamaica. Her experience sparked an interest in helping many families be together in the U.S. by founding McBean Law. If you need help with your or a loved one’s visa, contact us here or call us today at (888)-462-4006 to schedule a private consultation with LaToya and her team of New York immigration lawyers who are here to help you.
Marriage To A U.S. Citizen
See this topic on our YouTube channel – Green Card Interview Tips!
Although this green card option is quite complex, we are seeing an increased number of marriage petitions approved without the couple having to go through the interview process.
Still, some do get called back for interviews, so it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the process and prepare. The government can be quite strict because fraudulent petitions are common with marriage petitions.
It is a good idea to consult with an experienced immigration lawyer and have them present at the interview as well. Our team of New York immigration lawyers at McBean Law would be more than happy to assist you and your spouse along your green card journey, so don’t hesitate to contact us.
So, what should you expect at the interview itself?
Interview technicalities
The marriage petition interview will be recorded for evidentiary purposes and government records. In addition to this, you will be under oath, meaning that you will be required to attest that what you’re about to say is truthful and correct before the eyes of the law.
Interviewing Officer
The immigration officer overseeing your marriage petition will be going through your accompanying documents during the interview itself. You will need to provide the original required documents, and the officer will verify them in front of you.
The original case that you had submitted to the government will also be on the officer’s desk as well. This might seem intimidating, but it is a normal part of the process and should not be cause for concern.
Making Corrections
As the saying goes – Speak now or forever hold your peace. The immigration officer will request that you take one more look at your forms and offer any corrections, whether that be an incorrect address that needs to be fixed, or an inaccurate date, etc.
Questioning
After you’ve made the necessary corrections to your filing, the immigration officer overseeing your interview will begin questioning you and your spouse. This is the point of the interview where you’re supposed to provide proof for your marriage being bona fide.
They might ask about your living arrangements, how you and your spouse met, how the relationship progressed from that first meeting to wanting to get married, etc. You will be asked about your daily routine as a couple, and your stories will need to match up.
This is the point where the immigration officer may separate you from your spouse to conduct one-on-one interviews. Although this might seem like a bad sign, don’t fret. There are many reasons why you and your spouse may be separated for the interview – the interviewing officer may just prefer it this way. You may even be separated as soon as you come in for the interview.
End of Interview
After the interview, your interviewing immigration officer will advise you on the steps moving forward. They may say that your case is being recommended for approval, or they may not reveal the acceptance status of your case at this point at all. They may also say that you will be hearing back within a number of days or months.
The officer may give you a clue into what they’re thinking, but do not take their feedback as the final word on how your petition will turn out. This is the point where you’ll need to be patient and wait to hear back officially.
What To Expect After Interview
You may need to go through additional background checks after the initial marriage petition interview. You may receive a RFE, Request For Evidence, meaning that the documentation you’ve provided for your petition was not sufficient and the government is requesting additional evidence.
You might receive this request from the immigration officer right after your interview as well, depending on how it went.
You might also be called back for a second interview, the so-called Stokes interview. This is a secondary interview usually conducted if your initial interview did not provide enough evidence for bona fide marriage.
Planning Your Roadmap to Success
Whether you are seeking assistance with visa applications, green cards, citizenship, or any other immigration matter, we are here to help you every step of the way. Our mission is not just to provide legal services but to empower our clients with the knowledge and resources they need to achieve their immigration goals. With proper legal counsel, persistent preparation, and meticulous attention to detail, your success can become reality too. Partner with professionals like McBean Law to chart your visa journey’s triumph.
If you are interested in more topics like this, please consider subscribing to our newsletter to get weekly updates on immigration news, relevant topics, and more! You can also find us on YouTube where we do weekly Q&A sessions.
LaToya McBean Pompy is an immigration lawyer who immigrated to the United States from Jamaica. Her experience sparked an interest in helping many families be together in the U.S. by founding McBean Law. If you need help with your or a loved one’s visa, contact us here or call us today at (888)-462-4006 to schedule a private consultation with LaToya and her team of New York immigration lawyers who are here to help you.
