As a Miami immigration lawyer, many clients who are adjusting their immigration status based on marriage to a United States citizen ask about the marriage interview. They want to know what to expect.
I tell them in my capacity as a Miami immigration lawyer that the USCIS will have to conduct a marriage interview. Part of the marriage interview consists of asking the couple (sometimes separately) to ascertain the authenticity of their marriage.
The USCIS does this, so as to weed out the couples who are marrying solely for the immigrating spouse to receive an immigration benefit (i.e. they want to screen for fraudulent marriage cases). If the immigration officer determines that your marriage is fraudulent, you will receive a Notice of Intent to Deny the I-130 Petition. This letter will explain the reasons USCIS believes your marriage is fraudulent. If you receive this letter, you will definitely want to speak with a Miami immigration lawyer to discuss your options.
This is just a SMALL sampling of the kinds of questions that could be asked at a USCIS marriage interview. Remember – this is by no means the full listing of questions that the immigration can ask you during your marriage interview. There are many other questions, including, but not limited to:
- Where did you meet?
- What did the two of you have in common?
- Where did you go for dates
- How many people attended your wedding?
- What kind of cake (or other food) did you serve?
- Who were the bridesmaids/groomsmen?
- How late did the guests stay?
- Did the bride change clothes for the reception?
- Did you serve liquor? What kind?
- What time did you and the [bride or groom] leave the reception?
- Who is your spouse’s employer? What is the location of your spouse’s workplace? What is the name of your spouse’s boss?
- How much does your spouse earn every month or year? How often is your spouse paid?
- What time does your spouse arrive home from work?
- Who cleans the house?
- What day is your garbage picked up?
- Who takes care of paying the bills?
- Do you have a joint bank account? Where?
- Do you have a cat, dog, or other pet? Who feeds it? Who walks it (or cleans its kitty litter box, cage, etc.)?
- Do you and/or your spouse attend regular religious services? Where?
- Where do you keep the spare toilet paper?
- Who packs lunches for the kids?
- What are their favorite toys/activities?
- How often do you see each other’s parents? Where do they live?
- When was the last time you saw them? Where? For how long?
- On important holidays, do you buy individual gifts for your parents-in-law? Do they buy individual gifts for you?
- How do each of you get along with your parents-in-law?
- How many brothers and sisters does your spouse have? What are their names?
- Which other members of your spouse’s family do you see frequently? When was the last time you saw them? What did you do together?
- Do you have a garage? Who parks in it? Do you use a garage door opener?
- Is there a carpet in your front hallway? What color?Is your sofa a regular one or does it have a pull-out bed?
- Have you ever had houseguests sleep there?
- What type of curtains or window coverings are in your living room? What color?
- How many staircases are in your house?
- How many sinks, toilets, and showers are there in your house or apartment in total?
- Do you leave any lights on when you go to sleep at night?
- When is your spouse’s birthday?
- What did you do for your spouse’s last birthday?
- What did your spouse give you as a present for your last birthday?
- How did you celebrate your most recent wedding anniversary?
- What religious holidays do you celebrate together?
- What’s the most important holiday of the year in your household? Where do you typically celebrate it?
- Have you and your spouse gone to see a movie or other form of entertainment lately? When, and what did you see?
If you would like more information on the marriage interview, please contact Miami immigration lawyer Michael G. Murray, Esq. at (305) 895-2500 or visit our website at www.mmurraylaw.com.