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If this particular article has piqued your interest you are probably researching the marriage green card process and the various steps involved. Or, perhaps, you are far along on the process and are about to embark on the highly anticipated “adjustment of status” interview in connection with the marriage green card. This particular article focuses on common topics focused on by USCIS Officers at marriage green card interviews.

As a brief intro, the marriage green card process is the process by which a foreign individual may apply for a green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen. Many foreign individuals qualify for this route of obtaining a green card, even if they are out of status or have previous status violations. Of course, the marriage between the foreign individual and the U.S. individual needs to be a real marriage and not a marriage entered into solely for the purpose of obtaining a green card. This is the main focus of the USCIS interview as part of the application process.

The first few stages of the marriage green card process are comprised conducting a detailed legal analysis of the case, collecting required supporting materials, and completing and filing numerous forms and documents required for the process. The stages thereafter are largely comprised of waiting for receipts/notices, providing biometrics, and following instructions or requests for information from USCIS. The last part of the process is the highly anticipated interview process where the foreign national and his/her spouse must present themselves before a USCIS Officer at a local USCIS office to discuss the veracity of their marriage.

One of the most important parts of the interview as part of the marriage green card process is to confirm that the marriage is a real, bona fide marriage and not one entered into solely for the purpose of obtaining a green card. The USCIS Officer also has to confirm that aside from the marriage that the foreign spouse also otherwise qualifies for the permanent residency benefit.

The following are some topics that are typically focused on by USCIS Officers at based marriage green card interviews:

• Dating history of the relationship: Details of when the couple started dating. Examples of some dates. What does the couple do for fun on dates?
• Family knowledge: Questions related to each spouse’s knowledge of the other spouse’s family members and whether they have ever met or been in contact with the family members.
• Timeline of events: Questions related to when events occurred during the relationship. When and how did the couple first meet? When was their first date? When did they decide to get married?
• Wedding Ceremony: Was there a wedding ceremony or reception? Did the couple celebrate in anyway? If so, what did they do? Who was involved?
• Residential information: Does the couple live together and how long have they been living together? What sort of evidence can be provided to show the couple resides together?
• Review of photos: The Officer will most likely review photos brought to the interview and ask questions specifically related to the photos. Be prepared to allow the Officer to keep several photos.
• Questions from the application: The Officer will ask various questions from information provided in the application. Such questions may involve prior employment, schooling, residential information, and family matters.
• Financial questions: Questions regarding transactions from any financial statements brought to the interview (these may have been brought to show joint accounts). Questions regarding how the couple treats their finances.

The above list is meant only to give one a very broad and general idea of some of the more common topics of questioning during a marriage green card interview. The above is by no means exhaustive, as each case is different and the style, in terms of questioning, of each USCIS Officer is different.

The most important thing regarding this process is that the marriage was entered into lawfully and is a bona fide marriage. At the interview itself, both spouses should be prepared to fully participate in the process. The best advice is to be truthful at all times and be respectful to the Officer.

The marriage green card process, including the adjustment of status interview, is a complicated process and should not be undertaken without adequate legal counsel. Not only can legal counsel assist in the beginning stages prior to and during submission of all application materials, but counsel can also properly prepare a couple for the interview and attend the interview with the couple.

You have just married your U.S. citizen sweetheart and now it is time to apply for a green card through marriage. After researching the matter online and talking with friends, family members, and colleagues, you acquire a basic understanding of the process…a few forms, marriage certificate, birth certificate, filing fees, and an interview. In fact, perhaps you have even printed and viewed some of the forms you found online. Upon review of the forms, sure enough this looks like a walk-in-the park and you decide to embark on this seemingly simple journey on your own without the guidance of a trusted and experienced immigration lawyer.

What looks like a walk in the park can too often lead to a walk on hot coals off of the edge of a cliff. How is this possible…after-all it’s just a few forms, filing fees, and some other documents? Well, it’s possible because what appears to be straight-forward process is actually something much more complicated and risky.

Let’s take a look at some of the common things that often go wrong with a marriage green card application when a couple navigates the process without the help of a trusted and experienced immigration lawyer:

1. Providing the wrong forms – In a complete marriage green card application, including work authorization and advance parole, there can be 7-10 different USCIS forms that need to be completed and included with the application. It’s extremely easy to become confused or to be unaware of which forms must be included. Another issue I’ve seen on several occasions by individuals who attempt to “do it themselves” is that they use outdated versions of one or more forms leading to the case being rejected.

2. Completing the forms improperly – Simple omissions or improper answers on the forms can lead to negative consequences. In some instances, an omission or improper answer could result in the application being rejected or denied whereas in other instances certain omissions or improper answers could lead to a finding of fraud/misrepresentation at the interview.

3. Misunderstanding the affidavit of support – This is a tricky part of the application and many cases are denied because of a failure to deal with it properly. Cases are denied not just because the financial requirement isn’t met, but also in instances where the correct documentation is not included even though the financial requirement may be met.

4. Failing to include proper supporting documents – A marriage green card application requires a lot of supporting documents from both spouses at the time of application submission and at the time of the interview. Sometimes the supporting documents should be photocopies whereas in other instances they should be originals.

5. Inadequate interview preparation – The last stage of the process involves an interview of the couple and it is still quite possible to blow the whole thing at the interview through any number of reasons that could’ve been avoided through proper interview preparation. Perhaps you haven’t brought the right supporting documents or evidence regarding your relationship or perhaps you and your spouse haven’t had a chance to be advised on how the interview works and what kind of questions could be asked. Other issues that could arise have to do with inconsistent information and potential findings of misrepresentation or fraud based on what was previously provided and what comes out during the interview.

6. Misunderstanding of USCIS instructions – After submission of the forms, you will receive notices from USCIS in regard to various parts of the application. Failing to respond to a request for additional information properly or failing to show up at the right date/time for biometrics or your green card interview can have dire consequences.

7. Misunderstanding the foreign spouse’s eligibility – This could have to do with the foreign spouse’s current immigration status or past immigration history. Other things that impact eligibility are encounters with the police, dissolution of previous marriages, acceptance of certain public benefits, etc.

8. Simple inadvertent omissions, “white lies”, or other related matters – For numerous reasons, many couples believe that they need to “pad” their application with information that USCIS wants to hear or omit from their application information that USCIS does not want to hear. Lying or concealing truths should never be done and will only lead to a negative outcome.

It is all too easy to make errors that could lead to rejection, denial, loss of filing fees, immigration court, and, in some cases, removal/deportation, in connection with the marriage green card process. In other words this means loss of time, loss of money (at least $1,365 in filing fees plus legal fees if immigration court is involved), possible separation of family, and, in some circumstances, possibly being removed to a country you no longer call home.

The bottom line is that no matter how simple it might appear, the marriage green card process is actually quite complicated and full of pitfalls and risks that are not usually visible to the average person. Find yourself a trusted and experienced immigration lawyer and work with him/her in properly navigating the process.

If you have applied to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States through marriage to a US citizen, then you need to attend a marriage interview for green card with the USCIS. The interview usually takes place from 6 to 12 months after your application. The interview is conducted to avoid fraudulent relationships that were created just to obtain permanent residency.

It is important for you and your spouse to properly prepare for your marriage interview for green card. You could experience a delay in the approval of your case if you do not answer the questions properly. Worse yet, your application might be denied if you do not present the proper information at the interview. Take time to go through your application and the documents before the interview.

Dos and Don’ts at the Immigration interview:

When going for the marriage interview green card, you must know what are the things you must follow and what to avoid to be successful in the interview. Below are some of the Dos and Don’ts which you need to be aware of when you attend the interview.

The DOs:

DO take time and prepare for the interview. Bring copies all of your forms and all your document originals. You should be able to respond to questions without referencing and confusion.

DO answer personal questions related to your marriage to a U.S. citizen.

DO follow the instructions of the interview. If the officer wants to interview you and your spouse separately, do not hesitate.

DO answer only the question that is asked.

DO dress appropriately for the interview because good impression speaks.

DO remain calm. If you do not understand the question you may ask the officer to rephrase it. If you do not know the answer for the question, it is better to admit than to lie.

DO show up on time. If you fail to show up for your interview, you may have to go across a a lengthy process to get another interview.

The DON’Ts:

DON’T joke around with an USCIS officer. The impression you create makes a difference in the interview process.

DON’T argue with your spouse or any other family members who has accompanied you in the middle of the interview. It is better to discuss with your family member, on any issues you disagree with, before the interview.

DON’T argue with the USCIS officer. If the USCIS officer says your application is incomplete or is incorrect, you may ask the USCIS officer politely what is missing and you may provide the documents you carry with you to provide a solution to the situation.

DON’T lose your patience with the USCIS officer and refuse to answer questions which seem unimportant or inappropriate. These questions are probably within the boundaries on the USCIS policy. Answer the questions calmly.

DON’T lie to the USCIS officer. If you try to lie to the USCIS office, it might lead to denial of your application. Always tell the truth and be prepared beforehand. If you feel you will not be able to handle the situation you may then hire a lawyer who will be able to explain the situation well.