Avoiding common immigration interview mistakes

On Behalf of | Jul 19, 2019 | Firm News

You have probably had interviews before. Perhaps a potential employer interviewed you for a job. Such meetings help an employer determine if you have the skills, attitude and personality to fit with the existing staff. If you do well, you may get the job. If you make a mistake, you may have to start all over looking for a new job.

If you have an interview with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in the near future, you have even more on the line than a new job. Doing well in your interview could open for you a new world of opportunity. Making a mistake could mean the loss of every step you have made in the immigration process so far.

Put your best foot forward

Interviews are an essential step in nearly every immigration application. Whether you are seeking asylum, requesting a green card or hoping to become a U.S. citizen through naturalization, you will likely have to undergo an interview with a Texas USCIS agent. Depending on your goals, you may have a lot riding on the interview. There are certain steps you can take to improve your chances and to avoid misunderstandings that could derail your immigration goals, for example:

  • Spend some time before your interview date reviewing, updating and studying your application since many interview questions will refer to this information.
  • Gather all your original documents, make copies of everything, and bring the copies and originals with you.
  • Make sure your ID card and driver’s license are current and have them with you.
  • Demonstrate your seriousness by dressing neatly and appropriately, such as in clothes you would wear to a job interview.
  • Clear your calendar for the entire day so you can focus on the interview.
  • Arrive early so you are not late for your appointment if the parking lot is full.
  • If you are bringing an interpreter, you must register him or her before your interview.
  • Do not bring any weapons or dangerous items, such as a lighter or scissors, and leave your cell phone off.

In some cases, making a serious mistake can mean losing your place in the immigration process, which means starting all over. You may already know that some applications take years. In other cases, failing the USCIS interview may mean the end of your immigration quest, which means deportation from the country. You will certainly want to avoid either of these possibilities, so it is wise to obtain sound advice and guidance from a legal professional at any point in the process.