Urgent - Please help! My mother's interview on Feb 1, 2010

[hanimi]

Hello,

My mother who is 71 years old has been scheduled for an interview at Chicago DO on 2/1/2010. She has been preparing for the Civic and English test. She is able to answer the questions, if someone translates or asks slowly in Indian accent. She is very nervous and wanted to know if she can have a translator during the interview and if so how does she get a translator during the interview? Please help!

Thanks

 

[Giovanni28]

I'm fairly certain that, as understanding English is a requirement of citizenship, a translator would defeat the purpose of an English test.

If the IO is accommodating, your mother might be able to ask him/her to speak slowly enough to understand, but as for asking him/her to use an Indian accent, I'd love to be in the room if ever an IO agrees to do that with a straight face.

 

[hanimi]

I'm fairly certain that, as understanding English is a requirement of citizenship, a translator would defeat the purpose of an English test.

If the IO is accommodating, your mother might be able to ask him/her to speak slowly enough to understand, but as for asking him/her to use an Indian accent, I'd love to be in the room if ever an IO agrees to do that with a straight face.

It is not the IO asking questions in Indian accent - if translators are not allowed, is it possible to have someone repeating these questions in English but with Indian accent?

 

[ginnu]

It is not the IO asking questions in Indian accent - if translators are not allowed,

is it possible to have someone repeating these questions in English but with Indian accent?
----------------NO, officer can repeat the question if she asks the officer to repeat. do you mean the officer should learn the Indian accent to interview your mother?

------------------

 

[hanimi]

That is not my question - I am asking if she can take a person with her to the interview to help her (repeating) those questions? I read somewhere that USCIS allows translators and want to know how to avail that service! Let me know if you have any idea about it!

Thanks

 

[wantmygcnow]

That is not my question - I am asking if she can take a person with her to the interview to help her (repeating) those questions? I read somewhere that USCIS allows translators and want to know how to avail that service! Let me know if you have any idea about it!

Thanks

No thats not possible. You can have an interpreter during the Oath. But for the interview, you need your mother to pass the test. If she has problems, ask the officer to repeat the question.

 

[olddude]

Depends on how long She has been LPR (Green card holder)

Please review M-476 (available on USCIS web site) for any expemtions you mother may qualify since she is more than 55 years old. Page 26 may have information you are looking for.
There may be an exemption based on age and number of years she has been permanent resident (green card holder). if she qualifies for exemption, she must take translator with her for the interview.
If she does not qualify, consult an attorney who is proficient in both languages and consult USCIS if your mother can take lawyer with her for translation purposes, if USCIS does not allow translators otherwise and your mother does not qualify for exemptions.
Prior to hiring an attorney, please take infopass appointment and consult with USCIS for possible alternatives.

 

[WBH]

You can have an interpreter during the Oath.

I heard experiences about someone (some old parent) was pull off the oath because he did not understand English well when turning the oath letter.
He answered Yes to some question forgetting that questions are
only aaplicable to teh post interview period. the person just could not understand and explain well wehn asked why he answered Yes.
USCIS figured out that the yes answer was actually about pre-interview
period and it was already taken care of but still they refused to let him take oath and gave the reason "insuffcient English"

 

[wantmygcnow]

I heard experiences about someone (some old parent) was pull off the oath because he did not understand English well when turning the oath letter.
He answered Yes to some question forgetting that questions are
only aaplicable to teh post interview period. the person just could not understand and explain well wehn asked why he answered Yes.
USCIS figured out that the yes answer was actually about pre-interview
period and it was already taken care of but still they refused to let him take oath and gave the reason "insuffcient English"

Actually the Oath letter says if you need an interpreter..Yes or NO.....the example you give is kinda vague because unless we know the details its hard to assume its true wht happened.