If you or your family hope to immigrate to the United States, it’s very important that you understand the laws and regulations that apply to different kinds of visas, asylum and other processes. Being able to clearly explain why you’re coming to the country and understand the rules of the applications you fill out will minimize the risk of a rejection or denial, which will cost you precious time and money.
One of the ways to help yourself during this process is to talk with an attorney or legal interpreter who is bilingual. You will want to talk to someone who speaks English to understand American laws well, since most laws are written in English to begin with. There are exceptions, but they are few and far between.
You will also want to know that the same person is bilingual in your native language.
Why?
Someone who is bilingual can understand the meaning of phrases that you use in your own language as well as how to correctly interpret information from English to Spanish, for example. They can help you fill out questionnaires and applications in English by explaining the terminology used in language that is easy for you to understand.
Instead of relying on a translation app or program that could be inaccurate, you’ll know that you’re working with someone who understands you or a family member. They can catch errors or misunderstandings that might hinder your application.
Immigrating is difficult in a single language, let alone two
The reality is that immigrating to the United States is complicated, and not having a great grasp of the English language can make it harder. The language used in legalese can be tricky to interpret, and you may not have vocabulary in your own language that fully expresses the meaning of certain questions or descriptions on paperwork.
Being able to get help in your language takes away some of the risk of confusion and errors, so you can rest easy knowing that your application is filled out correctly. Combined with the guidance from someone working in law, you may have a better chance to get the approval you want to come to the United States.
