Planning for an Immigration Interview

 Posted on February 13, 2024 in Immigration

Going into a government office for an immigration interview can be very intimidating. However, it is a normal part of the immigration process that everyone wishing to become a naturalized citizen must go through. Knowing what to expect - and what to do - before you arrive can help you feel ready and make a good impression. While it is hard to predict exactly which questions you will or will not be asked, your Itasca, IL, immigration attorney can help you prepare for most possibilities. They may be able to sit down with you for a practice interview to make sure you know how to answer some of the questions you will probably need to answer during the real thing. As long as you are honest and polite during your interview, you will most likely do well

Knowing What to Expect During Your Immigration Interview

A few things you should be prepared for during your immigration interview include:

• Being separated from your family - Especially if you are seeking citizenship through marriage to a U.S. citizen, there is a good chance that the interviewer will want to talk to you and your spouse separately. Do not be worried if you or your spouse is asked to leave the room so the interviewer can speak to both of you individually. The same is true if you have immediate family members who are also trying to immigrate along with you. 
• Facing personal questions - Be prepared to answer questions that may seem very personal. Questions about your married life, family life, career, and social or community life are all fairly normal. So are questions about your personal reasons for leaving your country of origin. 
• Dealing with a difficult background - If there is anything in your background that could potentially raise a red flag, you should be prepared to address it. If you have any criminal history or even a past arrest that did not result in conviction, you will likely be asked to explain what happened. You may be asked to explain a job loss or why you left an educational program. Even if the situation is outside of your control - for example, if you have a distant family member you do not speak to who got involved with terrorism - you may still be asked about it. 
• Paperwork requests - You may be asked to show any relevant paperwork during the interview, so you should ask your lawyer which documents you need to bring.

Good preparation with the help of a skilled lawyer will likely lead to a good interview result

Contact a DuPage County, IL, Immigration Lawyer

Unzueta Law Group, P.C. is dedicated to helping people from all over the world successfully immigrate to the United States. Our experienced Itasca, IL, immigration attorneys will do all we can to prepare you for a successful interview. Contact us at 630-509-2363 to schedule a confidential consultation.