When you married a U.S. citizen in Kentucky, you suspected you might encounter numerous challenges as you adapt to life in the United States. Culture shock is definitely real, and it pays to reach out for support if you are having trouble acclimating to your new surroundings. Certain issues may make your situation even more stressful, for instance, if immigration officials question the validity of your marriage.
If the U.S. government requests your presence at a marriage interview, it is likely because officials suspect you of committing fraud. The outcome of the interview may greatly affect your ability to stay in the United States. It’s logical to assume that you’ll want to be as prepared as possible to prove the legitimacy of your marriage. The more you learn about U.S. immigration law regarding marriage-based visas and learn how to avoid deportation, the better chance you might have of avoiding removal.
Issues that cause immigration officials concern
There are certain issues that tend to immediately raise red flags regarding whether the U.S. government believes your marriage is legitimate. If immigration officials are questioning the validity of your spousal relationship, it might be because of one or more of the issues included in the following list:
- If you can’t answer basic questions regarding your engagement or wedding plans, it could cause immigration officials to question whether you entered the relationship for legitimate reasons.
- Most spouses know personal information about each other, such as favorite colors, favorite foods, sleeping and work habits, personal interests, etc. If you don’t know such things about your spouse, it is likely to raise suspicion.
- You must be able to show proof that you are living with your spouse. If you have separate addresses or do not sleep in the same bed together, you’ll likely have to answer a lot of question to prove that you have not committed fraud.
- If you appear anxious or afraid during your interview, it might lower your chances of passing the test. At some point, you and your spouse may have to answer questions in separate rooms from each other, and it’s critical that you are able to remain calm and provide answers that coincide with the ones your spouse provides.
It’s up to you to convince your interviewers that your marriage is legitimate. This is often easier said than done, especially if one or more of the issues mentioned earlier appear to exist in your situation. If you have all your paperwork and marriage documents in order and can show other proof of legitimacy, such as photographs of your wedding and other events in your relationship, then things may workout okay.
Reaching out for additional support
It’s helpful to speak to other immigrants who have successfully navigated the marriage interview process, but they cannot help you with the legal aspects of your situation. There are experienced U.S. immigration law attorneys who can provide valuable guidance and support as you do your best to convince immigration officials that your marriage is legitimate.
