The United States can offer a lot of opportunities to immigrants, but it can be lonely for those who have left their family members behind. Fortunately, immigration laws in the U.S. allow U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor loved ones in hopes of obtaining a green card for them. There are many steps to this process, and each needs to be followed with care to ensure that everything goes smoothly and you can successfully bring your loved one to the U.S.

The Interview Process

One aspect of family immigration that leaves people a little nervous is the immigration interview. Here, an employee of the U.S. government asks the individual who is being sponsored for the green card a series of questions. To be honest, a lot of the questions that are asked are basic and pretty easy to field. In some instances, though, the questioning may be more thorough, which means that the person who is being interviewed needs to be adequately prepared.

Married Couples

Married couples may be subjected to more intensive questioning to ensure that the marriage is legitimate and not merely a sham in order to obtain immigration status. Therefore, when a spouse is sponsored for immigration purposes, then questions pertaining to the following may be asked:

• How the couple met
• The other spouse’s birthday
• When did the couple get married
• Where did they get married
• Other aspects of the couple’s relationship

The immigration officer conducting the interview will also review provided documentation, which include marriage and birth certificates, passports, and documents that may show that assets have been comingled, such as bank account records.

Don’t Walk Through the Immigration Process Alone

Immigration law is enormously complex, and one misstep can result in a denial of immigration status. It could even lead to allegations of fraud or threats of removal. You don’t want this. So, instead of going at it alone, consider working closely with an immigration law attorney who will know how to protect your interests and fight for the outcome you desire.