Bringing a Family Member as an Interpreter Could Jeopardize Your U.S. Immigration Interview

Taking a relative or friend to serve as an interpreter during a status adjustment interview with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) could jeopardize a Cuban immigrant's residency. Immigration attorney Willy Allen III emphasized this point during a CiberCuba program hosted by Tania Costa, where he addressed audience inquiries about common immigration procedures.

The discussion arose when a listener asked about the risks of having a cousin as a sponsor in a Cuban Adjustment interview with USCIS. Allen III clarified that having a known sponsor, even a close relative, is generally not a significant issue. "If the sponsor is a known person, there shouldn't be any problems. They'll likely ask questions about the sponsor, but if it's your cousin, I don't think there will be any issue," he explained.

Why Professional Interpreters are Crucial

However, the attorney seized the opportunity to issue a more urgent warning: the mistake of using an informal interpreter. "You need to hire a translator. Not your cousin, father, brother, or sister. Get a professional who works as a translator or interpreter," Allen III stressed.

He shared that he's witnessed this error countless times, often with negative outcomes. In one instance, the situation reached a critical point. "I've lost count of how many times our lawyers have attended interviews where someone brought a cousin or friend to translate. It's always a disaster. Once, we were fortunate that the USCIS officer decided to call in one of their translators. That was a lucky break."

The Impact of Recent Policy Changes

This warning is particularly pertinent given recent developments. In May 2026, USCIS released memorandum PM-602-0199, tightening status adjustment rules and indicating that meeting technical requirements no longer guarantees approval. Following a June 5, 2026, court ruling, Cuban Adjustment interviews were resumed, but they now face delays of six to eight months.

In this context, any error during the interview can have more severe consequences than before. According to the USCIS Policy Manual, USCIS does not provide interpreters for status adjustment interviews at their offices, placing the responsibility solely on the applicant. Additionally, the attorney on the case cannot simultaneously act as an interpreter, and the officer has the discretion to reject the proposed interpreter if they fail to meet the criteria.

The interpreter must sign the USCIS Form G-1256 under oath before the interview begins and must be over 18, fluent in both English and the applicant's language, impartial, and competent. An untrained family member might make translation mistakes, insert opinions, or fail to accurately convey responses, potentially harming the case.

Expert Recommendations

Earlier, Allen had advised that Cubans with parole would face intense questioning during their adjustment interviews, including inquiries about the sponsor, and recommended always attending with both a lawyer and a personal interpreter.

For those applying for residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act, the advice is straightforward: hire a certified professional before the interview, regardless of how much you trust the English-speaking family member.

For more insights on USCIS interviews, status adjustments, and other immigration processes, stay updated with our U.S. Immigration section.