what does the lawyer do on green card interview

by Kobe Douglas 3 min read

If you are preparing for a green card interview in the United States, you should consider meeting first with an immigration attorney. The attorney can assist you in understanding what the interview will entail and can help to make sure you are as prepared as possible for answering the questions you might be asked.

An attorney at the USCIS interview would: Provide Clarifications, Explain Facts and Provide Legal Arguments. If there is a need to clarify a question (by the adjudicator) or an answer (by the applicant), it is the attorney's role to “jump in” and provide such clarification in order to keep the interview on track.Jun 28, 2019

Full Answer

What is the purpose of a green card interview?

The interview takes place at a local field office of United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Usually you’ll appear in-person at the USCIS office nearest to your home address. You’ll enter the facility with your green card interview notice in hand. (Make sure you’re there on the right day at the right time.)

Where can I get a green card interview in the US?

How many questions you will be asked during your interview depends partly on what category of green card you are applying under. For example, in order to obtain a green card through marriage, the interview process will be particularly rigorous, as the officials need to make sure you are not committing marriage fraud. By contrast, a clear-cut case of an applicant who will be working …

What is the last step in the green card process?

Apr 09, 2019 · Find Out How an Immigration Lawyer in Orange County Can Help An Orange County immigration attorney at Brudner Law can stay by your side throughout the green card interview process, advising you every step of the way for the best possible results. Call 714.794.9366 or contact us online to discuss our services today.

Can a green card interview be waived?

If you are preparing for a green card interview in the United States, you should consider meeting first with an immigration attorney. The attorney can assist you in understanding what the interview will entail and can help to make sure you are as prepared as possible for answering the questions you might be asked.

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Is it necessary to have a lawyer at green card interview?

Though the interview does not require your immigration and naturalization attorney to be present, there are benefits of having a lawyer at citizenship interview. The experienced attorneys at Scott D. Pollock & Associates P.C. are able to help you study, prepare, and protect you during your citizenship interview.

Can a lawyer go to an immigration interview?

There are immigration attorneys who will agree to attend just for an interview as long as they can review the file ahead of time.Jan 27, 2022

How long does it take for USCIS to make a decision after green card interview?

within 30 daysTechnically, the USCIS has to provide you with a decision on your naturalization application within 120 days of your naturalization interview. In a green card application, the USCIS is supposed to provide you with an official notification of their decision within 30 days of your interview.Mar 15, 2022

Can a lawyer speed up the green card process?

While an immigration attorney cannot per say “speed up” your case, the immigration attorney is knowledgeable in immigration law and will know the best strategy and options for your case. Undeniably, this avoids any unreasonable delay by anyone lacking specialized knowledge in this area of law.

How can I pass my green card interview?

7 Tips To Pass Your Immigration InterviewArrive on time. ... Wait for your Attorney. ... Dress appropriately. ... Listen to the Questions Asked and Respond Appropriately. ... Bring an Interpreter. ... Bring a set of original documents and a duplicate set of copies. ... More is better than less.

What questions do they ask in green card interview?

Green Card Interview QuestionsHow did you meet?Where did some of your first dates take place?How long did you date before deciding to get married?What is the story of your marriage proposal?

How do you know if your green card is approved?

You can check your case status by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. You will need your receipt number when you call in. This is useful if you do not have access to a computer to check your green card status.Jul 6, 2021

What happens if you fail green card interview?

If you do not pass the green card interview, USCIS may investigate your case further. Additionally, USCIS may provide you with the opportunity to submit additional evidence. They may otherwise issue a Notice of Intent to Deny your application for a Green Card.Apr 9, 2021

What happens after your green card is approved?

Once you have received your immigrant visa, you must enter the United States within the visa validity period to obtain an alien registration receipt or “green” card (Form I-151 or I-551) that will allow you to live and work in the United States. You will receive your visa and a sealed packet from the courier service.

How can I accelerate my green card process?

You can generally request expedited processing by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or by asking Emma after you have obtained a receipt notice.Mar 21, 2022

What's the fastest way to get a green card?

If you're a close relative to a U.S. citizen or a green card holder, they can petition for you to obtain legal permanent residency. This option is the fastest and most popular path to getting a green card. U.S. citizens are permitted to petition for immediate relatives, including: Spouses.Oct 20, 2021

Why green card process takes so long?

The bottom line is, the supply of visas often fails to meet the demand, and waiting lists develop in most visa-preference categories. The waits are especially long for people attempting to immigrate from China, Mexico, India, and the Philippines, due to the high demand from those countries.

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May I see a photo identity card?

You will need to prove that you are who you claim to be. This could be a driver's license, home country passport, or something similar.

Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

The interviewer will normally start by having you stand, raise your right hand, and take this oath. It means that you will be guilty of perjury if you lie or give false information during the interview.

What is your full name?

Sounds obvious, but you can expect this and some other questions that are straight off the forms you filled out. Similar questions might include, "Where were you born?" and "when did you last enter the United States?".

Have you ever committed any crimes?

A criminal conviction on your record may be grounds for a finding of inadmissibility; that is, ineligibility for a green card.

Have you ever been arrested?

Many people will say "no" to having committed a crime, believing that their arrest led nowhere. But the truth in some cases is that an arrest has implications under U.S. immigration law, which could lead to a finding of inadmissibility.

Have you ever voted in the United States?

This, too, is meant to reveal whether you are inadmissible as someone who has falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen.

What should I do if I want to get a green card?

If you are preparing for a green card interview in the United States, you should consider meeting first with an immigration attorney. The attorney can assist you in understanding what the interview will entail and can help to make sure you are as prepared as possible for answering the questions you might be asked.

What do immigration officers want to see?

The immigration officer will want to see evidence of your valid marriage and shared life, such as wedding photos, letters you've written to one another, joint credit card bills, home leases, birth certificates of children you've had together, bills in both names such as utility and cell phone bills, and so on.

What is the inevitable part of your conversation with the U.S. government officer?

An inevitable part of your conversation with the U.S. government officer will be the material in your application. Review all the forms, whether you prepared them or someone else did.

Do you have to attend an interview before you can get a green card?

Before being approved for a green card (lawful permanent residence in the U.S.), most—but not all—applicants must attend an interview.

Can you lie during a green card interview?

Lying during a green card interview can get you into greater trouble than whatever the original issue you were trying to cover up. If you feel you need to cover something up, talk to an attorney before continuing with your application.

What happens if you have no legal grounds to apply for a green card?

In this case, if you have no legal grounds binding you to the United States, then you might have your green card revoked. Last but likely the most important, you will probably need to attend an interview for a green card renewal in the event that you have been convicted or arrested. This is done to check whether you are a liability to ...

What form do I need to renew my green card?

Under the guidance of your attorney, you should begin filing the form I-90 aimed at renewing your green card. After that, all you have to do is wait for the interview to be scheduled so that you may explain the situation. Depending on the severity of your crime, you may be deported.

What happens if you sign a waiver?

If you have signed a waiver, got divorced, changed your job, or your status changed in any way in the meantime, then you might also get called in for an interview. Since things have changed from the moment you had your last interview, you might be called in again to clear things up – explain your situation again.

Can you be deported if you live for 40 years on a green card?

A person living for 40 years on a green card will have the same chance of being deported as someone who has only been living there for two years. For this reason, you might want to try and save yourself before the deed is done.

Can you be interviewed for a green card?

In some cases, some green card holders will be interviewed at random if they barely passed the first interview when they got their visas. If the visa was marriage-based, they might schedule the interview again to confirm your marriage is truthful, genuine, and loving. If you have signed a waiver, got divorced, changed your job, ...

Is a green card a permanent resident?

You got your green card, and you are now a permanent resident of the United States . You went through the entire ordeal of paperwork, the interview, and it has been decided that you are eligible to remain in the U.S. as a resident with the intention of living there. You made yourself clear at the interview and you gave them all the data ...

Can a green card holder be deported?

A green card holder can be deported and deemed inadmissible in the United States if they committed certain deportable offenses. These crimes can be violent and nonviolent – but nonetheless, they may affect your legal status in the United States:

What does the USCIS officer ask about your application?

The USCIS officer will likely ask if you have any life changes that may affect your adjustment of status application. The officer is looking for anything that may change an answer on your application. Some examples include the birth of a child, new employer, or new address. If your changes include an arrest or other immigration issues, ...

How long does an adjustment of status interview take?

The typical adjustment of status interview lasts approximately 20 to 25 minutes. After introductions and swearing in, that doesn’t leave much time for questioning. It’s also not necessary to memorize answers to any questions. For the most part, the USCIS will ask you questions about your application and ask you to verify or explain certain answers. If you’ve truthfully answered questions on Form I-485, there’s no reason to be nervous or anxious.

Where to schedule an I-485 interview?

USCIS will generally schedule the interview at an office nearest you. In some areas of the country, this may require a long drive and an overnight stay. For family-based I-485 applications, USCIS generally requires both the applicant and petitioner to attend the I-485 interview.

Can an immigration officer interpret a language?

An immigration officer may exercise discretion to allow a friend of the applicant to act as interpreter. If the officer is fluent in the applicant’s preferred language, the officer may conduct the examination in that language without use of an interpreter.

Can an interpreter be used for an I-485 interview?

Use of an Interpreter. An applicant who is not fluent in English may require the help of an interpreter for the I-485 interview. Also known as a translator, the interpreter should be a disinterested party. In other words, the interpreter should not have a clear bias.

Can I be a permanent resident after an I-485 interview?

If all goes well, you’ll be a permanent resident (green card holder) at the end of the interview. Interviews are a standard part of the process after filing Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status. The I-485 interview is almost a certainty if you submitted an adjustment of status application on the basis of marriage.

Can I get an I-485 from USCIS?

If everything goes well at your adjustment of status interview, the USCIS officer will approve your I-485 application. In some cases the officer may be able to place an “ I-551 stamp ” inside your passport. Regardless, USCIS will process the new green card and mail it to your address on record.

What is the purpose of a green card interview?

The purpose of the green card -also known as the Adjustment of Status (AOS)- interview is to confirm that what you included in your application is true. It also gives you the chance to amend any parts of your application that have changed since you filed it, for example, a new employer or different address. Âą.

How to apply for a green card outside the US?

Applying for a green card from outside of the US. If you’re applying from outside the US, you’ll go through the process of “ Consular Processing ”. Simply, your application is processed through the US embassy or consulate in your country. Full copy of your Consular Processing application package.

What is the last step in the green card application process?

The green card interview is the last step in the green card application process. When it happens depends on your situation, but the USCIS will send you the date, location and time of your interview. ².

What is the last step in getting a green card?

But with a little preparation, your chances of acing them are much higher. In the process of getting a green card, one of the last steps is the green card interview. This is done to make sure the information you provided in your application is true. If you’re in the process of getting your green card, then read along as we cover ...

Where is the interviewing officer for a USCIS application?

If you’re already in the US, then the interviewing officer will be a USCIS immigration officer at a USCIS centre. If you’re applying from outside the US, then it’ll be with a consular officer at the US embassy or consulate of your country.

What documents are required for a green card?

For marriage-based green cards, original copies of all documents showing your marriage is genuine, such as marriage certificates, birth certificates of your children, and joint-finance statements ².

Do you have to do a green card interview?

Generally speaking, almost everyone will have to do a green card interview. But there are some instances in which the USCIS will waive an interview, such as if you’re obviously ineligible for a green card or if you’re the parent of a US citizen. Basically, if the USCIS thinks an interview is unnecessary, they can waive it.

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