One of the traditional tools that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has used to deter fraudulent marriages is the Stokes interview. Those attempting to get a green card because of their marriage to a United States citizen often face increased scrutiny.
Stokes interviews are usually pivotal to the approval process, so it pays to go into your Stokes interview fully prepared. Below is some important information for those seeking green cards through marriage.
A Stokes interview is the second round
If you initially failed to convince the USCIS officer screening your case of the legitimacy of your marriage, you will get notified to attend a Stokes interview. Think of it as a second chance to make a good impression. Hence, the need to prepare ahead of time.
However, today, more USCIS officers are exercising their right to include Stokes interviews during the first interview, so it’s prudent to stay prepared all throughout the process.
The questions get granular
While some questions are mundane and expected, e.g., “Where did you meet?” or “Describe your first date?”, others get downright personal. They might ask who sleeps on which side of the bed or even what method the couple uses for birth control.
It’s a good idea to review the list of questions with your spouse so there are no surprises.
Be prepared but not rehearsed
While you certainly don’t want to be blindsided by these questions, you also don’t want to sound rehearsed or as if the answers were memorized and not organic. By working closely with your legal team during the immigration process, you may be able to eliminate some stumbling blocks.