10 Common Immigration Interview Questions

Preparing for a green card interview with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can be stressful, but understanding the purpose of the interview can relieve the stress. USCIS interviewers are primarily interested in identifying fraudulent applications.

The 10 most common USCIS interview questions should be anticipated. Your answers to these questions should be rehearsed prior to the interview. An interviewer for a family-based visa is especially interested in identifying applicants who entered into a marriage for the sole purpose of gaining access to the United States. An immigration attorney will prepare green card applicants to answer the following common interview questions:

1. Please explain the information on these forms.

Expect to be grilled about any confusing or incomplete answers provided on the green card application. All USCIS documents should be properly prepared prior to submitting a green card application. Answer every interview question honestly.

2. When was your mother born?

Immigration officers often ask applicants to verify basic information. The officer merely wants to ensure that the applicant is who they claim to be on the USCIS application.

3. Did you say that your husband’s father is in his 70s?

Expect the interviewer to ask tricky questions or make unexpected remarks.

4. Where did you meet?

The officer will probably ask for details about a couple’s relationship and history together. Don’t hesitate to share romantic stories and funny anecdotes.

5. Tell me where you took this photo.

The officer may ask questions about photographs that have been provided to prove the legitimacy of a relationship. If an applicant doesn’t remember the details of an event, he or she should answer honestly. The interviewer may then move on to another question.

6. Do you know the color of your wife’s toothbrush?

Asking seemingly random questions is a common theme of immigration interviews. People who meet the residency requirements for citizenship and are applying for naturalization are expected to read, write and understand English. Green card applicants do not have to meet this requirement.

7. Are you having a good day?

The officer may ask everyday questions in order to learn small details about a couple’s life together. The officer is looking for the usual signs of a genuine relationship.

8. Tell me about this offshore savings account.

Expect questions about finances and bank accounts. Be certain to take supporting documents to the interview.

9. When was your last fight?

Don’t overdo the love story. Share the good, the bad and the ugly with your new USCIS friend.

10. Does your wife brush her teeth with the pink toothbrush you told me about earlier?

Expect different forms of the same question during the interview.

The U.S. immigration system can be difficult to understand. For assistance with all immigration matters, contact the Gutierrez Law Firm at 210.225.7114 to receive a free initial consultation.