My parents are about to appear for the naturalization Initial interview, and both of them have been living in the US for over 15 years and over 55 years old, however, they cannot speak, read, and write English. So i might need to act as a translator for them during the interview, but i heard that as a son maybe i cannot do that and need to hire someone else to interpret for them. I really don't want to spent over $1000 to do a job i can easily handle. Is it true, do i really need to hire someone? Thank you for answer my question
Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna, P.C.
Question about translator
- Thread starter Subhadip
- Start date
My impression is that a relative or a friend cannot act as the translator in a citizenship interview, becauuse that person has a stake in the outcome of the interview.
Please also see this: http://www.bestsampleresume.com/interview/immigration-interview-preparation.html (second last bullet point).
And, this: http://forums.immigration.com/showthread.php?319581-interpreter-for-parents-green-card-interview (although this involves a green card interview)
I also think, like many other matters concerning the USCIS, there may be regional (or IO to IO) variations in how this policy is enforced.
You can always call the USCIS and the local DO (more important) to get an official response. When you do, take the the details (full name, agent or extension number) of the person you spoke with, and note down the date and time of the call.
If I were in your shoes, I would get a certified, third party translator for this purpose. Some things in life are not worth gambling with. But, then again, that is just me.
Disclaimer: I am neither a lawyer nor an immigration professional. My advice should be construed as legal or professional advice. I am only a layperson sharing my opinion with you. Please use it with discretion. Consult a professional if you need accountability.
Please also see this: http://www.bestsampleresume.com/interview/immigration-interview-preparation.html (second last bullet point).
And, this: http://forums.immigration.com/showthread.php?319581-interpreter-for-parents-green-card-interview (although this involves a green card interview)
I also think, like many other matters concerning the USCIS, there may be regional (or IO to IO) variations in how this policy is enforced.
You can always call the USCIS and the local DO (more important) to get an official response. When you do, take the the details (full name, agent or extension number) of the person you spoke with, and note down the date and time of the call.
If I were in your shoes, I would get a certified, third party translator for this purpose. Some things in life are not worth gambling with. But, then again, that is just me.
Disclaimer: I am neither a lawyer nor an immigration professional. My advice should be construed as legal or professional advice. I am only a layperson sharing my opinion with you. Please use it with discretion. Consult a professional if you need accountability.
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Nobody can answer this question? A simple yes and no will do.
A simple yes or no answer is not an option.
IT DEPENDS...
IF the parents interview in an office that has someone staff that can do the interview without the need for a translator OR there is someone on staff who can act as a translator, it may be a moot point.
IF the applicant's case is straight forward and uncomplicated, they may allow a relative or friend to do the translation.
However, IF mom or dad has something in their past that would be embarrassing or harmful to a familial relationship, THEN a family member might asked to leave at a certain point.
Some kids do not know that they are adopted and some kids do not know about a parent's criminal past, as examples.
I know for a fact that some grandkids have been kicked out so an old lady could be asked about her very old prostitution arrests.
Every case is unique.
sanjoseaug20
Registered Users (C)
Every case is unique.
But let's game play it a bit more. Let us say there is something wrong with the parent's case. Or maybe there is not. However, the starting point for OP will be to request that he/she be allowed to interpret? When will this request be made? If they have something embarrassing to ask, and if they ask OP to leave, how will they ask those questions with the language barrier?
What should the OP do assuming there is no warning sign?
Is it true, do i really need to hire someone? Thank you for answer my question
A family member can act as an interpretor persuant to 8 CFR 312.4
http://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/SLB/HTML/SLB/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-11185/0-0-0-30364/0-0-0-30422.html
http://law.justia.com/cfr/title08/8-1.0.1.3.65.0.1.4.html
Make arrangements with USCIS in writing that you are requesting to be the interpreter in your parents case.
Jackolantern
Registered Users (C)
A family member can act as an interpretor persuant to 8 CFR 312.4
Except that the CFR says "However, the Service reserves the right to disqualify an interpreter provided by the applicant in order to ensure the integrity of the examination." So a family member could be disqualified.
But let's game play it a bit more. Let us say there is something wrong with the parent's case. Or maybe there is not. However, the starting point for OP will be to request that he/she be allowed to interpret? When will this request be made? If they have something embarrassing to ask, and if they ask OP to leave, how will they ask those questions with the language barrier?
What should the OP do assuming there is no warning sign?
USCIS (like all DHS immigration agencies and INS before it) have translator services available via telephone...there is a contracted service provider that has been in place for years AND the agencies maintain lists of in-house language skills currently available.
So a family member could be disqualified.
As can any other interpretor hired by the applicant, but that isn't the issue here.
USCIS (like all DHS immigration agencies and INS before it) have translator services available via telephone...there is a contracted service provider that has been in place for years AND the agencies maintain lists of in-house language skills currently available.
In addition, you can contact the Central Office Communications Center ( 202-633-2618) for the current list of community based volunteer interpreters.
http://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/SLB/HTML/SLB/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-53287/0-0-0-53401/0-0-0-53779.html
Thanks you very much for trying to answer my question. But i am still a little confused and my question is: will the citizenship test be carried out in Hindi/Tamil? since my parents been here over 15yrs and over 55 yrs old and in their N 400 i wrote down that they are speakers of Hindi/Tamil.
@Subhadip: Make sure your parents have been lawful permanent residents for over 15 years; Just being "here" for over 15 years will not count.
I would think it would be real easy for the USCIS local office to whip up translators, competent in Hindi and Tamil, but this is just my personal speculation. Honestly, I do not know about this at all. I am hoping someone with more knowledge and experience will chime in.
See this: http://www.citizenshiptestandinterv...zenship-questions-asked-in-english/index.html
Also, see this document: http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/About Us... Guide/Permanent_Residents_Naturalization.pdf
Go to page 66. Read "Can a family member and/or interpreter come to the interview to help me?"
You may want to take a print out of this document (or at least this page) with you to the interview.
I would think it would be real easy for the USCIS local office to whip up translators, competent in Hindi and Tamil, but this is just my personal speculation. Honestly, I do not know about this at all. I am hoping someone with more knowledge and experience will chime in.
See this: http://www.citizenshiptestandinterv...zenship-questions-asked-in-english/index.html
Also, see this document: http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/About Us... Guide/Permanent_Residents_Naturalization.pdf
Go to page 66. Read "Can a family member and/or interpreter come to the interview to help me?"
You may want to take a print out of this document (or at least this page) with you to the interview.
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Thanks you very much for trying to answer my question. But i am still a little confused and my question is: will the citizenship test be carried out in Hindi/Tamil? since my parents been here over 15yrs and over 55 yrs old and in their N 400 i wrote down that they are speakers of Hindi/Tamil.
If you are in an area where there is a significantly large Hindi/Tamil speaking population, there is a distinct possibility that USCIS has a native speaker who is a naturalized or 1st generation USC on staff.
However, if your family is the first, you would be out of luck.
Are you sure you can have an interpreter for the interview? (Clarification: The ones that do oral translation are called interpreters. Translators do written translations.)
The mother of a friend of mine said that her citizenship is on hold because she does not speak enough English to pass the citizenship interview (she was at her interview). She is a Spanish native speaker and it would be very easy to find a qualified interpreter for her. I am almost sure that the local USCIS office here could even have her interviewed by a native Spanish speaking USCIS official.
What about the proof of the applicant's command of English if the applicant does not speak enough English to read and write an easy sentence but needs an interpreter?
The mother of a friend of mine said that her citizenship is on hold because she does not speak enough English to pass the citizenship interview (she was at her interview). She is a Spanish native speaker and it would be very easy to find a qualified interpreter for her. I am almost sure that the local USCIS office here could even have her interviewed by a native Spanish speaking USCIS official.
What about the proof of the applicant's command of English if the applicant does not speak enough English to read and write an easy sentence but needs an interpreter?
@makaba: See this: http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/gc_1200665502868.shtm
2. After October 1, 2008 when the new test becomes effective, will the current rule "English Exemption for people 55 or older and resident in the US for 15 or more years" be still applicable?
Response from USCIS: Currently the people who meet these requirements are eligible to take the naturalization test in their native language. The new naturalization test did not change the regulations that allow exemptions for testing based on age and time as a permanent resident.
The English language requirement may be waived for an applicant who on the date of filing the application, was over 50 years old and has been lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years, or was over 55 years old and has been a lawful permanent resident for at least 15 years. If either exception applies, the applicant may take the civics examination in the applicant's language of choice.
Further, an applicant qualifies to take a modified civics test if on the date of filing the application, the applicant was 65 years old and has been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years. If this exception applies, the applicant will be administered a simpler version of the civics examination in the applicant's language of choice. This modified civics test is a sample of 20 civics questions from the list of 100. The sample civics questions have been identified for applicants qualifying under this exception and will soon be announced.
If applicants qualify for a waiver of the English proficiency requirement, they must bring an interpreter to their naturalization interview.
Citizenship2Mom
Registered Users (C)
Hi Subhadip-
Rightnow I am in the process of filing N-400 for my mother who is 70years old and received her green card in aug 1995. But like your parents she also doesn't speak English. So my question is, where did you mention on N-400 that their language is Hindi/Tamil and they need interpreter?
Thanks
Rightnow I am in the process of filing N-400 for my mother who is 70years old and received her green card in aug 1995. But like your parents she also doesn't speak English. So my question is, where did you mention on N-400 that their language is Hindi/Tamil and they need interpreter?
Thanks