When couples apply for a green card through marriage, they must undergo a lengthy interview with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer that focuses on many different aspects of their relationship, including financial details, daily routines, and future plans together. The officer is also looking for a genuine connection between the couple and will ask questions about each spouse’s family, friends, and hobbies.
The interviewing officer will want to know how you and your spouse met and what led to the decision to marry. They will also want to know about the date, location and type of wedding ceremony, as well as any photos or documentation you may have that supports this information.
Often, the interviewing officer will ask what each spouse does for work, as well as their salary and benefits. This is done to ensure that the couple has enough income to support each other and not rely on the US government for assistance. The officer may also ask about other sources of income, such as children’s allowances or gifts from relatives.
It is important that you and your spouse have detailed answers to these questions, as the officer will likely question any inconsistencies or discrepancies in these areas. In addition, the interviewing officer will want to know how you two communicate with each other, including any text messages or chat history that may provide a glimpse into your daily life.
If the couple has children, the interviewing officer will want to know what their ages are and how they are being raised. The officer will also want to know about each spouse’s family history and what their occupation is.
In addition to questions about each spouse’s career and personal life, the interviewing officer will likely ask a number of character-related questions. These questions are meant to determine if the couple will be able to live and thrive in the United States, and can include inquiries about previous arrests or convictions (even if they didn’t lead to a criminal conviction), traffic tickets, and domestic violence complaints.
It is important that the couple prepares for their green card interview marriage questions by reviewing the questions they may be asked and ensuring that all of their relevant documents are ready to go, such as birth certificates, bank statements, tax returns, photo identification cards, etc. Having this preparation in place will help the couple feel more confident and relaxed during their interview, and can increase their chances of successfully obtaining their green cards. The Houston immigration lawyers at Spar & Bernstein can assist with the green card interview process and help clients through any potential obstacles that they may face. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.