Spanish to English Interpretation Services for USCIS Applications
If your English isn’t as good as your Spanish, attending a USCIS interview without an interpreter can be challenging.
So, if you’re looking for the best interpreter for your upcoming USCIS interview, you’ve come to the right place.
In this post, we’ll guide you on how to find the ideal Spanish to English Interpretation Services for USCIS Applications.
We’ll also list the common mistakes people make when hiring an interpreter so you can easily avoid them.
Why Might You Need Interpretation Services for Your USCIS Application?
To pass your USCIS interview, you need to provide clear and accurate answers to the interviewer’s questions.
If you have limited proficiency in English, achieving this can be impossible.
Incompetency in English can lead to misinterpretation of questions and providing incorrect answers to them. This is the last thing you want to happen in such a significant situation.
For this reason, a professional Spanish-to-English interpreter can make all the difference in the success of your application process.
They’ll help you overcome the language barrier so that you can provide the most suitable answers to the interviewer’s questions.
The presence of a professional interpreter will also reduce the stress of speaking in a language you’re unfamiliar with.
What Are the USCIS Requirements Regarding Interpreters?
USCIS has a set of criteria that any interpreter must meet to be eligible to participate in the agency’s interviews. Here are the requirements the interpreter must fulfill or provide:
- Be 18 years old or older. The only exception is when no local interpreters over 18 speak your native language.
- Be a disinterested party to avoid bias or expressing opinions during the interview
- Provide a valid identity document
- Sign a privacy release statement
- Complete an interpreter’s oath
What Are the USCIS Rules of the Interpretation Process During Interviews?
Here are the rules established by USCIS to effectively manage the interpretation process during interviews:
- The interpreter should precisely interpret what the applicant and the interviewer say, word for word, to the best of their ability.
- The interpreter shouldn’t add commentary, opinions, or answers during interpretation.
- USCIS has the right to disqualify any interpreter if they believe the individual will affect the integrity of the interview for any reason.
- USCIS can disqualify any interpreter if they determine that the person isn’t competent enough to provide an accurate interpretation.
How to Find the Best Spanish-to-English Interpretation Services?
There are several ways to choose the best interpretation service for your USCIS interview.
The simplest way is to ask for recommendations from friends or family members who have had a previous experience with USCIS interpretation.
Googling the phrase“ Spanish to English interpretation services.” and evaluating the search results is another option.
Alternatively, you can find top-notch Interpreters through the American Translators Association website.
To do this, visit the association’s website and click “find an interpreter.” Next, choose whether you’ll search for companies or individuals. Set the language to “from Spanish to English.”
Then, determine the specific criteria for the interpreter you need and click “search.” The website will provide a list of interpreters matching your requirements.
Regardless of the search method, you need to check the genuine online reviews about the interpreter you plan to hire.
Try also to know as much information as possible about their training and expertise. This ensures you’ll get the exact service quality you desire.
The 3 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring Interpretation Services for USCIS Applications
There are some common mistakes that most applicants make when hiring an interpreter for USCIS interviews. It’s crucial to be aware of these errors and evade them.
Here they are:
1. Booking Too Late
Although booking an interpreter late is a common situation, it’s a catastrophic mistake.
A professional interpreter needs time to prepare for the interview and review the updates in USCIS regulations and systems updates.
This is crucial for them to perform well during the interpretation process.
If you book an interpreter for a USCIS interview at the last minute, they won’t have sufficient preparation time.
As a result, their performance during the interview may not be optimal.
2. Addressing the Interpreter Instead of the Interviewer
While in the USCIS interview, avoid addressing the interpreter using phrases like “tell them that …”
Instead, speak to the interviewer directly, and the interpreter will immediately translate your words.
A professional interpreter should facilitate the conversation without becoming a participant. This way, you should speak through them but not talk to them.
3. Assigning the Interpretation Task to a Friend or a RelativeHere
Giving the interpretation mission to one of your bilingual friends or relatives can result in cost savings. However, it’s not a good idea for two reasons.
- It Goes Against USCIS Rules
One of the main requirements set by USCIS for interpreters is that they must be disinterested parties.
This means there’s a high likelihood that your friend or relative would be rejected as an interpreter for your USCIS interview.
That way, USCIS may postpone your interview, resulting in an extension of the application processing times.
- Fluency Doesn’t Guarantee Professional Interpretation
Just because your friend or relative is fluent in Spanish and English doesn’t mean they can perform well as interpreters.
The interpretation process entails more than understanding and speaking two languages.
Professional interpreters should possess a set of diverse skills to help them do their work effectively.
They should also have an extensive vocabulary that enables them to convey the intended meaning of the interviewer and interviewee accurately.
In addition, they must have specialized knowledge of legal terminology and USCIS procedures to ensure high precision in their interpretation.
Wrapping Up
By now, you know how to pick the best interpretation services for USCIS applications.
Always remember to thoroughly check all the available information about the interpreter before hiring them. This includes reviewing their expertise, training, and genuine client feedback.
In addition, you should book your professional interpreter at least a few days ahead to allow them sufficient time for preparation.
During the interview, address the interviewer directly rather than speaking to the interpreter.