If you are an immigrant living in the Los Angeles region, or anywhere else within the United States, you may be required to submit to an adjustment of status interview. Specifically, this would occur when you are seeking a green card through the adjustment of your status. You will not actually need to live in the country to get a green card in this situation. The interview will be the very last part of the adjustment of status process. Adjustment interviews are conducted by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Though, in some cases, no interview will be required at all. If one has been requested in your case, you need to take it seriously. Still, while it is natural to be intimidated by such an interview, this process does not need to be nerve-wracking. You can get assistance from an experienced immigration services attorney who will help you prepare for the interview and will ensure that your rights are fully protected.
What Does the Adjustment of Status Interview Entail?
An adjustment of status interview begins with a USCIS official swearing you in. As these interviews are conducted under oath, you are legally required to be completely forthright throughout the process. In most cases, the official will start the questioning by asking you to confirm some basic information about yourself. This might include your name, your date of birth, your address and any other personal identifying information deemed relevant. You will then likely face some questioning based on the type of green card you are seeking. For example, if your desired green card is tied to your employment, you should expect to answer some questions about your job. Alternatively, if your green card is based on marriage, your spouse will be required to attend the interview and you can expect some questions about your relationship. Ultimately, the goal of the interview is to confirm the accuracy of the information that you have provided. By doing this, USCIS can confirm that you are truly eligible for legal status.
What Documents and Information are Needed for the Interview?
You must come to your adjustment of status interview fully prepared. If you fail to provide any necessary supporting documentation, it could lead to your application being delayed or even denied. The immigration process takes long enough already; please do not add more time to it simply because you came to the interview unprepared. A non-exhaustive list of things you should bring to your interview includes:
- Your carefully completed visa petition;
- Your completed adjustment of status application;
- Your passport and nonimmigrant visa;
- Original copies of your birth certificate;
- A medical report as required by Form 1-693;
- Any required marriage or employment verification documents; and
- Any other relevant travel documents.
You should also bring any other documents or information that were requested specifically for your case. If you have any questions about preparing or providing documents, please take the time to consult with an experienced immigration lawyer before your interview begins.
The Top Three Mistakes that You Must Avoid
While an adjustment of status interview is by no means an interrogation, it is still an official and serious proceeding. A mistake could damage your ability to obtain a green card. In particular, you should be sure to avoid the following three common mistakes:
- Failing to provide necessary documents: As was mentioned, proper documentation is incredibly important. Please be sure that you have triple-checked all of the required documents before your interview. Even one missing file could cause you major headaches. Attention to detail is a critical. Further, you should ensure that documents are in English whenever possible.
- Not bringing an interpreter: If you are not completely confident in your ability to speak and understand English, it is wise to bring an interpreter along with you. One will not be provided for you by USCIS. You must be able to fully answer all questions.
- Saying the wrong thing: Finally, some applicants damage themselves by providing poor answers to questions during the interview. Often, these poor answers occur simply because of nervousness. It is important to give careful and thoughtful answers to any question that you are asked. Remember, you have the right to be represented by an attorney during your adjustment of status interview.
We Are Eager to Help Immigrants in L.A.
At the Goldstein Immigration Lawyers, we have experience handling a wide variety of immigration issues, including in the entertainment industry. If you are seeking an adjustment of status or need other immigration help, let us use our skills and experience to assist you through the process. Immigration can be very complicated. You do not need to go this alone. To schedule an initial immigration consultation with a skilled immigration lawyer in Los Angeles, please do not hesitate to contact us today discover the many immigration solutions we can offer.
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