3 Big Mistakes to Avoid During Your Marriage Green Card Interview

3 Big Mistakes to Avoid During Your Marriage Green Card Interview

 

If you are looking to obtain a green card through marriage through USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) , then you should know that at some point during the process, you and your spouse will likely be interviewed by a USCIS immigration officer.  The purpose of the interview is for the immigration officer to ensure that your marriage is legitimate, and that everything about the case checks out so that your application for a green card can be approved.

 

The interview is one of the most important parts of your green card case.  Given that the stakes are so high when it comes to the marriage green card interview, it is understandable to be nervous.  The issue is that when we get nervous, we tend to make mistakes.

 

In this article, we are going to try to calm those nerves a bit by going over 3 of the biggest mistakes to avoid during your marriage green card interview.

 

If, after reading this article, you have more questions about your marriage green card interview, or any aspect of obtaining a green card through marriage, then we invite you to contact us at Ashoori Law.  Feel free to call us at +1-818-741-1117 or you may schedule a free consultation by clicking this link.

 

Now, let us discuss the 3 biggest mistakes to avoid at your marriage green card interview:

 

Mistake to Avoid #1 – Not Bringing the Correct Documents to the Interview

 

When you receive the notice from USCIS, indicating where and when your interview will take place, USCIS will also specify certain documents that you need to bring with you to the interview.

Some of those documents are:

 

  • Your original birth certificate
  • Your original marriage certificate
  • Other documentation showing that you are in a bona fide These documents will vary from case to case. Some examples may include (i) pictures of you and your spouse together, (ii) a lease with both of your names on it, (iii) a utility bill with both of your names, and (iv) any other documents that you originally submitted with your case.

 

If you do not have the documentation requested in the USCIS notice, or other documents that you submitted with your initial application, it could result in various issues with your case. For example, the interview itself may be postponed, and your marriage green card application could potentially come under increased scrutiny, which could hurt your chances of getting your green card approved.

 

Therefore, be sure to remember to follow all of the instructions on the USCIS notice for the interview and be prepared to come with the correct documentation.

 

Mistake to Avoid #2 – Not Preparing for the Questions that Could be Asked

 

USCIS is aware that obtaining a green card through marriage is a process that can be abused by people having a “sham marriage” just for the purpose of obtaining a green card.  Therefore, USCIS officers will ask a number of questions at the interview to determine whether your marriage is legitimate.

 

If the immigration officer suspects marriage fraud, they may ask special questions designed to test whether the marriage is bona-fide. These questions are commonly called “Stokes questions.”  (The name refers to the federal case dealing with green cards through marriage, Stokes v. INS.)  Some examples of Stokes questions are:

 

  • How did you meet?
  • How many bedrooms do you have in your home?
  • On what days is the garbage picked up?
  • Who sets the alarm clock to get up in the morning?
  • What do you eat for breakfast?
  • Where did you get your furniture?
  • How many computers/laptops do you have?
  • Which side of the bed do you sleep on?
  • What color is your pillowcase?

 

As you can see, the questions are specific by design.  The idea is that only people who live together in a marriage would know the answers to those questions.

 

Further, if the immigration officer suspects fraud, they may also separate the spouses during the interview and ask some of those “Stokes questions” in order to see if your answers match.  Of course, the officer’s suspicions will be heightened if you and your spouse give different answers to the questions.

 

So, how do you get ready for an interview with such specific questions?  The answer is to (1) be prepared and (2) do not try to guess or lie.

 

With regard to preparing for the interview, there are many resources freely available online that will provide you with the types of questions that immigration officers will ask during a marriage green card interview.  So, take the time to prepare and know the answers to the types of questions that may be asked of you.  The more prepared you are, the less nervous you will be.

 

In addition, if you do not know the answer to a question during the interview – do not guess or lie.  The best way to handle a question you do not know is to, simply, say “I don’t know.”  In many cases it is understandable to not know or not remember certain information.  Moreover, not remembering something (rather than incorrectly guessing) is far better for your credibility, in many cases.  Conversely, if you guess, and the guess turns out to be incorrect, this may adversely impact your credibility with the immigration officer.

 

To review, make sure to prepare for the interview ahead of time by going over potential interview questions and making sure that you know basic information about your spouse, like his or her birthday and the number of siblings he or she has.  Also, if you are asked a question you do not know the answer to, just say that you do not know.  Do not lie or take a guess.

youtube-video-thumbnail
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Mistake to Avoid #3 – Rambling or Not Answering the Question Asked

 

As noted above, the interview for a marriage green card is important, and you are likely to be nervous.  Sometimes, when people get nervous, they tend to answer more than what was asked, or they may give answers that ramble on.  The instinct is understandable because you want to show the interviewer how willing you are to be helpful and provide information.  However, giving a rambling answer, or providing far more information than was asked could end up annoying the interviewer.

 

So, during the interview try your best to make sure that you focus on only answering the question that was asked.  If the question is “what is your current address?” and your current address is 123 Main Street, then your answer should be simply “123 Main Street,” not all of your addresses over the last fifteen years.

 

In short, answer the question that is asked and try not to answer more than what was asked of you.  Additionally, make sure that you let the interviewer run the interview.

 

Conclusion

 

If you plan on applying for a green card through marriage, through USCIS, you should know that you will likely be required to attend an interview before an immigration officer. When going in for your interview, here are 3 tips to help you improve your chances of having a successful outcome: 1) make sure to bring the correct documents with you to the interview; 2) prepare for the types of questions that may be asked of you and avoid guessing; and 3) answer the question that is asked of you and avoid rambling.

 

My name is Michael Ashoori and I'm a U.S. immigration lawyer and the founder of Ashoori Law. As an immigration lawyer, I help families, professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs get visas, green cards, and citizenship to the United States.  If you have any questions, feel free to schedule a free consultation by clicking this link.

Share this post...

Ashoori Law
4.9
Based on 591 reviews
Jamal Albardwil
1695322620
I was delighted with my experience. Mr. Ehsan Ashoori Was a professional, and free consultation meant free and informative. And he educated me on what to expect and do, the likely outcomes, and how to achieve it. I would highly highly recommend this... immigration law firm to anyone needing an immigration law firm.I wish I could give them 6 stars.100% professionals.read more
Sanjeev Bhalla
1695322329
Ashoori Law is a professional law firm with a great team. We had applied for my daughter's change of status visa and they handled it pretty well and we got the status change without any difficulty. I would strongly recommend them to anyone who... wishes to engage a immigration law firm. They will do a great job as was in our case. I'd like to thank Michael and Sergio as well their entire team for the fantastic work work they did for us.read more
Graem Beddoes
1695304265
Very grateful for the help and guidance in getting our E2
Carolina Marmolejo
1695267069
Very proffessional law firm. My husband & I appreciated their attentive, meticulous and detailed work on our case. They always stayed communicated and responsive to us from beginning to end.
Kaveeta Ramnarine
1695263390
Totally grateful to the Ashoori team for their excellent service. They are very responsive and knowledgeable, they go above and beyond for their clients.Special thank you to Attorneys Rebecca McCarthy and Ehsan Mehri for their continued support in... our process.read more
Shyam Chandrasekharan
1695134280
I wanted to express my heartfelt thanks for your exceptional guidance and expertise in securing my visa extension approval. Your professionalism, attention to detail, and dedication were instrumental in achieving this success. Your support and clear... communication throughout the process were invaluable. I'm deeply grateful for your outstanding work.read more
Malia Hi’ilani
1695090094
Ashoori Law is a very knowledgeable and thorough law firm, with a great team. They gave me confidence in my business plan by providing a free discovery call to see if it was worth pursuing. Very personable and available for all of my questions or... concerns throughout the process. I was granted my E2 change of status successfully. I would highly recommend them for all of your immigration needs.read more
Israt Jahan
1695005054
AshooriLaw is a great choice for our case.they response fast and very helpful.
Beth Jinks
1694583948
Ashoori Law again handled my green card travel document renewal application professionally, and they accurately predicted the processing time. I've tackled similar paperwork alone before, but have now been working with Ashoori for about five years... because they provide peace of mind that everything is handled correctly. Highly recommend.read more
Chris Lejeune
1694554372
At first I was hesitant hiring a lawyer from outside Texas that no one I knew personally dealt with however I am glad I did. These guys are very helpful and friendly. Their knowledge of my case and procedures was outstanding. 5 stars all day long.
Yuvraj Singh
1694452150
I would highly recommend Ashoori law for any kind of immigration services. They are fast, their process is easy and they are professional. I would highly suggest them handle your immigration cases.
Mazen Hanana
1694034589
Thank you for your amazing services as well as for your prompt response to all my queries.Your professional experience was very helpful in submitting, approving and getting my Re-entry permit
Marina
1693967961
Very great! Love, love, love Ashoori Law and his team. They make you feel like family. This is the team that will definitely get the job done. Very friendly and professional!
Nyoka Bandoo
1693967284
Very professional and looks out for your best interest at heart!
arsalan pervez
1693586652
Hello sir u have watsap number
Mohammed
1693507822
My wife & I recently engaged the services of Ashoori Law for Immigration services, and I must say that I am thoroughly impressed with their expertise and professionalism. From the moment I contacted them, they demonstrated a deep understanding of my... case and provided insightful advice that put me at ease. Their legal team, led by Micheal, displayed an exceptional grasp of the intricacies involved in my situation. The Ashoori Law team not only guided me through the entire legal process but also took the time to answer all my questions in a clear and concise manner. Their attention to detail and dedication to my case truly set them apart. I am pleased with the overall outcome and would recommend Ashoori Law for their top-notch legal services.read more
ADAMS GODLEADS
1693336498
Before contacting Michael Ashoori's firm, I had spoken to a few Immigration lawyers, NONE was as patient and responsive as Michael. His firm scheduled a call with an Attorney who turned out to be the most efficient and brilliant lawyer ever.... Stephanie DiPietro was simply amazing. The detail in her notes, cover letter and crisp responses to my plentiful enquires mostly done with a smile was always reassuring. I highly recommend this firm as they are worth much more than they charge.read more
Cheng-Ru
1693283955
I had an exceptional experience with Ashoori Law. I hired Ashoori Law Firm to help with my immigration process. They assigned me a dedicated legal assistant, Jeser, and an attorney, Matthew, to guide me through the process. I am truly grateful for... the responsiveness of Jeser and Matthew. They consistently answered all my questions and helped me prepare all the documents for the application. The team's friendliness and remarkable expertise stand out. I highly recommend Ashoori Law to anyone seeking legal services for immigration.read more
Anas Khan
1693231831
Michael's firm has been very helpful in processing, filing and taking the Re-entry permit to its successful approval. I needed help as I had to travel due to personal emergency for an extended duration and had a lot of questions with no time to... think. They gave us time and clarified all the questions over call, email giving proper directions. Some of the videos on YouTube posted by Michael also helped me figure out that I could reach out to them to take my application forwardThanks to Matthew, Clara, Milena and all the folks who helped.read more
Alyssa Sanders
1693155918
I highly recommend this lawyer for all immigration needs. They were so extremely patient with my situation and my questions, and definitely legitimately cared about the experience had with them. Immigration can be a very difficult and scary... experience and they definitely offered peace of mind. Very Affordable for the quality of services provided. I would definitely use them again in the future and recommend for immigrantion law needsread more
Fauzia Usman
1692904100
Thankyou so much Michael Ashoori and your Immigration Attorney Shruti Bali and all team member to help me process me and my family case of E2 Investor Visa. It took Approx. 10 months from Ontario Canada. I Never visit IN person to this Firm,... everything deal and process online. Ashoori Law serve Great Professional Service. Highly recommend.read more
Sonia Rathour
1692849803
Ashoori Law Firm has the most loyal Representatives and lawyers who really cares about their client. They always available to answer any question you have regarding your case and always give the best advise for your best.I got so lucky to have... immigration case in their Hand.read more
Dinesh Perera
1692302786
I am so glad I chose Ashoori Law for my E2 process. They handled my case professionally from start to finish. My circumstances were somewhat complicated and needed special attention in order to get me across the finish line. I must state that I was... extremely fortunate to have had Shruti as my attorney handling my case. She was always very responsive to all my questions and cleared my doubts in every instance. All documents were very carefully handled by her and checked over and over again prior to submission, which i believe is the key to getting the E2 approved. Thank you Michael, Shruti and the entire team for a professional and successful job done.read more
Next Reviews
js_loader
Michael Ashoori Headshot

Michael Ashoori, Esq.

U.S. Immigration Lawyer

I’m a U.S. immigration lawyer and I help families, professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs get visas, green cards, and citizenship to the United States.

Since starting my law firm, I’ve helped hundreds of people from all over the world with their immigration needs. I’m very passionate, hard-working, and committed to my clients.

Got a question? Send me an email.