What to expect at the Stokes Interview
What Is The Stokes Interview?
When a husband and wife did not convince an immigration officer that their marriage was real at their first green card interview (adjustment of status interview) they usually get a second chance. This second chance is known as the Stokes interview (also Known as the marriage fraud interview). The name Stokes Interview comes from the names of two of the plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against the government that created the framework for the interview. At the Stokes Interview the immigration officer is there to determine if the marriage is bona fide or fraudulent.
What Happens At The Stokes Interview?
The immigration officer will bring the couple in to his or her office and may discuss why they believe the first interview didn’t go well. The immigration officer will go over the procedures of the interview and then will separate the husband and the wife from each other. Once separated the immigration officer will ask very personal and invasive questions to one of the married couple and then the other. The interview will be recorded and the statements will be compared for discrepancies against each other. The immigration officer will then bring the couple in together and give them a chance to explain any discrepancies. It is the couple’s job to explain the details of their life and convince the immigration officer of their genuine relationship. If the couple’s answers matched and convinced the immigration officer of their relationship then their case will be approved. However, if the immigration officer is not convinced and has reasons to believe the marriage was created for the purpose of getting a green card, the immigration officer will deny the case.
How Long Does The Stokes Interview Take?
The Stokes interview can take several hours as the immigration officer will question each of the couple separately in detail and will also question the couple together. It’s best to answer the questions honestly and as openly as you can.
What If You Don’t Remember Some Details During The Stokes Interview?
If you don’t remember some detail asked of you it’s better to say you don’t remember than to try to make up an answer. If you tell the truth you cannot get caught up in a lie.
How To Prepare For The Stokes Interview?
The couple must bring all their original documentation such as their marriage certificate, birth certificates, passports, visa, entry records. The couple must also bring all their supporting evidence that shows that they are a real couple, for example the couples joint bank account statements, joint insurance statements, proof of joint assets, proof of joint liabilities, joint bills and separate bills going to the same residence, joint residential leases, photo albums, affidavits from friends and colleagues that have knowledge of the relationship and any other proof of your bona fide marriage. Bring the above evidence that spans the relationship together and it’s a good idea to have the evidence organized and easily available to give to the immigration officer. Don’t forget to also have an extra copy of all the evidence you submit to keep for your records as you may need it again.
Before you go to the Stokes interview pay attention to the little details of your household, you and your spouse’s daily routines and discuss with your spouse memories of your relationship from the time it started until the present. It may be a good idea to add details that only you and your spouse would know when answering the immigration officer’s questions, as this may show that you are a genuine couple. Stay calm and answer the immigration officer as openly and honestly as you can. Good Luck!
