Get Ready For A Green Card Interview

A great way to get ready for a green card interview is to create a checklist. On the list have all the documents that you must bring and check them off as you collect them. Review the sample questions that were included in this article and others that might be asked and review the questions on the forms that you may have submitted including: form - I-130 petition for alien relative, form G-325A biographical information, form – I-864 affidavit of support, form – I -485 adjustment of status application, form I-765 employment authorization application and form I-131 application for advanced parole. It is always a good idea to consult with and have a qualified immigration attorney represent you before you ever file the green card petition and applications. However, if you have already filed without a qualified immigration attorney you should consult with one before you go to the green card interview. Below are the steps to understanding what to expect at the Green Card Interview and how you may prepare for it:

STEP 1

After presenting your green card interview appointment notice at the local immigration office your name will be called by the immigration officer that will interview you.

You will follow the immigration officer to their office and be sworn in and asked to show your original documentation including the following:

1) The foreign spouse’s passport, visa, entry record and birth certificate (with certified translation in a foreign language),

2) The U.S. citizen spouse’s U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate or Naturalization Certificate or U.S. report of Birth Abroad,

3) Your marriage certificate,4) Any prior divorces, birth certificates of minor children and certificates of disposition of

arrests, if any.

Each immigration officer has his/her own way of conducting the green card interview, so the order and questions vary. Your documentation, circumstances and answers will also play a large role in the types of other questions that are asked of you.

STEP 2

It is the immigration officer’s job to determine whether: A) the foreign spouse entered the U.S. legally, B) the marriage is real, C) that your sponsor/co-sponsor is eligible and D) that there is no criminal or immigration bars to obtaining a green card.

Therefore, the immigration officer after viewing the Original documents mentioned above will also want to see any evidence that you are residing together and commingling finances and any other evidence of the genuine relationship including the following:

1) Joint residence lease or mortgage and/or deed,2) Joint bank and/or credit account statements,3) Joint utility and other bills,4) An album of various pictures together,5) Birth certificates of children of the marriage and6) Any other proof of the relationship.

The U.S. citizen spouse that petitioned for their foreign spouse must also be the sponsor that submits an affidavit of support, form I-864. Therefore, the immigration officer may want to view the sponsor’s most recent income tax returns and most recent proof of current employment. If the sponsor is not eligible based on income guidelines, you must also have a co-sponsor that has also executed an affidavit of support. If you are required a co-sponsor the immigration officer may want to view your co-sponsor’s most recent income tax returns, most recent proof of current employment and U.S. passport, birth certificate or green card (permanent resident card).

The immigration officer is also checking to make sure there is no criminal or immigration bars to obtaining a green card. If you have had ANY criminal or immigration issues make sure you discuss these issues with a qualified immigration attorney BEFORE you begin your case or at least BEFORE you go to the green card interview. The immigration officer will want to view any Original documentation that shows that there are no bars to obtaining your green card, as mentioned above.

STEP 3

The immigration officer will ask you both questions throughout the green card interview. Below are only some examples of questions that may be asked of you at the green card interview. As mentioned before, immigration officers vary on what they will ask and when they will ask them. However, the following are some of the questions frequently asked at the green card interview:

Questions about how the relationship began

How did you meet? Where did you go for your first date? Why did you decide to get married? How did you propose to get married? Did you meet the family? Did you live together?

Questions about your life today

Where do you live? What time do you get up in the morning?

Where do you work? Who cooks? What time does your spouse arrive from work? Who takes care of the bills?

Questions about the night/day before the green card interview

How did you get to the green card interview? Who cooked dinner last night? What did you have for dinner last night? Who woke up first this morning? Where did you park the car this morning? How many cars do you have?

Other Questions

What are some differences and what do you have in common? What are your hobbies or interests? What is your spouse’s parents names? How many brothers and sisters does your spouse have? What are the names of your spouse’s siblings? Where does your spouse’s family live?

It is important to answer every question as honestly and openly as possible. It may be a good idea to add the small details to your answers that only you and your spouse would know to show your authenticity. When you petition and apply for a green card case, you are promising the immigration services that you have entered into marriage in good faith. The immigration officer is there to make sure that you did not enter into the marriage only for the purpose of obtaining a green card. If there are discrepancies in the answers you and your spouse have given the immigration officers may ask more detailed questions. If the immigration officer believes that you are lying, you may be separated and/or asked to come back for a second interview, also known as the Stokes interview or a fraud interview. This is a serious matter and we urge you to seek representation by a qualified immigration attorney.

STEP 4

Questions about the green card forms you filed

It is important that you review all the forms that you submit for the green card petition and application case before you go the green card interview. The immigration officer will go through many of the answers you filled out on the forms and ask them of you at the interview. Listen very carefully to the questions they are asking and answer as honestly and openly as possible.

STEP 5

The immigration officer will let you know when the green card interview is over. If you are missing any documentation or they want you to come back for any reason you will usually be notified at the end of the green card interview or later in the mail. The immigration officer usually will not tell you that you are approved on the spot rather they usually say that you will receive the decision in the mail.

If you are approved you will usually receive an approval notice in the mail and shortly after that you will get the green card in the mail.

Please remember if you are married less than two years at the time of your approval you will receive a conditional green card and you must remove the conditions 3 months prior to the expiration of your card.

Please Notice: We Urge You To Consult With A Qualified Immigration Attorney Before You Petition Or Apply For Any The Forms Discussed In This Article And Before You Go To The Green Card Interview. This Article Is Designed For General Information Only. The Information You Obtain From This Article Is Not, Nor Is It Intended To Be, Legal Advice And It Should Not Be Construed As A Formation Of A Client-Attorney Relationship. Resulting Phone Conversations Or Email Replies Do Not Constitute Or Form A Client-Attorney Relationship Or Legal Representation, Which Can Only Occur After The Execution Of A Formal Engagement Letter Or Retainer Agreement. You May Contact My Office For A Free Consultation At 212-804-5770.

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