You’ve planned on joining your loved ones in the U.S. for several years now, and it’s finally happening. You’ve initiated the immigration process. All of your documents are in order, the paperwork has been filed and you’re awaiting an interview with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
You have some reservations. You’ve heard that there is a requirement for you to be a person of “good moral character”. You don’t know exactly what this means. The truth is, it’s not as intimidating as it first sounds. All that is required is for you to show that you are honest, law-abiding and willing to contribute and participate in society.
Some people try to exaggerate or bend the truth during the immigration procedure, which is a bad idea. Honesty is integral to the process, and here’s why;
A simple error could derail your application
Years ago, you made a mistake. You got in with the wrong crowd and ran into some legal trouble with the police. The charges were very minor, but they still show up on your record. You failed to notify the USCIS about this, and they’ve subsequently found out. Failing to fully disclose all relevant facts could set your application back significantly. Whereas, if you’d been open and honest about the past, it may not have impacted your applications at all.
Personal questions are part of the process
It’s very rare that you share matters about your personal life. However, immigration officers have to ask certain questions about your relationships, income, education and other personal matters. This is to gauge your reasoning behind entering the U.S. Everyone has to go through this, and it is not done with the intention of being intrusive for the sake of it. It’s important to remain calm and patient and be as open as possible in your disclosures.
The immigration process can take time and effort, but the end results are worthwhile. As you navigate the procedure, make sure you have a full understanding of your legal rights.