Question about requesting an accomodation to an interview

S

saf

Active Member
I am happy to let you know that I received the interview letter this morning. I am scheduled for an interview on June 12, 2008 at the Baltimore DO.

I am hearing impaired. (can talk and read lip). Can my private sign language interpreter come with me for an interview?

I already requested an interpreter on N-400 form that I filed, but interview notice, that I received today, didn't mention about interpreter. I called the customer service to request an accomodation and they said to submit a request in writing to baltimore office asking for an interpreter or I can go to the Baltimore office by scheduling an infopass appointment. I understand that it will take 4 weeks or more for the DO to get an interpreter (at no cost). I have my infopass appointment next following wednesday.

Question: Can I bring my own interpreter (not free) to an interview? or should I stick with baltimore to provide me an interpreter (free)?

How long will it take to complete the interview and oath? If it takes one day (both interview and oath), I would request an interpreter to stay for one day with me.
 
USGC485 said:
any idea? :cool:
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No idea, really, as I have never seen this come up before. However, I can tell you that based on the way in which USCIS works, you might be well advised to bring your own interpreter to the interview, at your expense. The reason I say this is that the USCIS is notoriously unreliable in virtually everything it does. It is taking them over a year, in many cases, to process a 10 page application. Any agency that is so incompetent with the basics is not, in my opinion, to be trusted with anything the slightest bit complex or out of the ordinairy. The last thing you want is to show up at your interview, expecting a USCIS-provided interpreter present, only to have your interview de-scheduled because they messed up. That will delay your case, which you probably don't want. Never mind what the USCIS is supposed to do - remember that they are supposed to adjudicate all applications in 6 months, but that is meaningless.

Again, this is just my opinion, but I would not trust USCIS with a request like this one. They have proven their incompetence time and again.
 
I agree with you, yummyk.

I will go ahead to ask my own interpreter who happens to be my friend (but I still will pay expenses for my interpreter's interpreting services). I will go to the Baltimore office on May 14 and ask USCS to allow my own interpeter to enter the interview room.

Thanks for advising me.
 
Make sure you try your best to get them to provide an interpreter. You have given them enough notice so it should not be so hard for them. By law, the ADA ensures that they should accomodate your request, especially since it is a reasonable one.

Please do post here about your experience, it is definitely something that will benefit others with similar questions. I hope they will be able to provide you one at no cost to you. Good luck!
 
After all the screwups USCIS likes to do to you and stuff I wouldn't trust them even with a written request.
Just in case I would take my own. What if you get there and there is non even though you sent the request.

Gl to you.
 
Thanks, ladybuggy. I agreed with you. I already spoke to my own interpreter. She will be ready to interpret for me. I will go to the Baltimore office next Wednesday (infopass appointment) to ask if they can allow my own interpreter with me to the interview room (on June 12).
 
USGC485 said:
Thanks, ladybuggy. I agreed with you. I already spoke to my own interpreter. She will be ready to interpret for me. I will go to the Baltimore office next Wednesday (infopass appointment) to ask if they can allow my own interpreter with me to the interview room (on June 12).
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I think the InfoPass to clarify the situation is a great idea USGC485. However, even if they 'assure' you that they will provide an interpreter for you on the day of your interview, I would also stronger recommend taking your personal interpreter along - just in case. If it turns outs they provide an interpreter, then all you lose is what you pay your personal interpreter - which in the long run is far less than the time and money spent dealing with USCIS. And if in the high chance they do not deliver what they promise, you can insist since it is their error they proceed with the interview using your personal interpreter.

As always, please keep proof of all of your interactions with USCIS. Make an extra copy of the InfoPass document and make sure you get the name and ID number of the IO you speak to at the local office. Keep copies of all correspondence with USCIS and use a tracking method to delivery them. Sounds paranoid I know, but I have learned a lot time ago better be safe with USCIS than sorry.

Good luck and as mentioned above, please keep us informed about your case.
 
I got back this morning from the immigration office where I had an infopass appointment regarding sign language interpreter(s). I asked an officer if I can bring my own interpreter. She wrote down to me, "no, you cannot bring your own interpreter or interpreters from outside since they don't have security clearance. But I can request two interpreters that our service provides. Wait a moment. I am going to process requesting ASL interpreters for June 12 interview and oath. Be noted: for oath, it depends on officer's decision after the interview."

She re-issued the new interview letter (interview date and time remain unchanged) that states new wordings "Two interpreters will be attended. One for interview and Another one for Oath ceremony" with USCIS stamp and today's date. That's it.


Hope interpreters will be there on time. Any one who had experience using accomodation?
 
That is a very positive development! I would suggest you be there 15 min early just to make sure that you meet their interpreter and get to know him/her and maybe try to see how skilled that person is.

Also please add your timeline to your signature, it is an easy tool for people to quickly note our case history.
 
aabbcc11 said:
That is a very positive development! I would suggest you be there 15 min early just to make sure that you meet their interpreter and get to know him/her and maybe try to see how skilled that person is.

Also please add your timeline to your signature, it is an easy tool for people to quickly note our case history.
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Thanks, aabbcc11. I will do. Thanks for your advices. I will keep you posted about the outcome of the interview and oath. I will still be here after oath to help answering other people's questions. :)
 
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