Emigrating from another country to New Jersey or elsewhere in the United States can be an exciting yet stressful experience. Especially, if you have a significant language barrier, you might feel confused or overwhelmed as you try to acclimate to a new culture or workplace.
At some point in your immigration journey, you might be asked to appear at an official interview. Perhaps, you’ve applied for a green card or you were recently married, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents suspect that your marriage is a fraud. No matter what the reason for your interview happens to be, it’s best to be as prepared as possible, including knowing how to dress for the occasion.
Dress as you would dress to go to court
If you were going to court to file for divorce or to litigate a child custody case, you wouldn’t want to appear sloppy or unclean. It’s the same for an immigration interview. The types of clothing you might wear to court are also appropriate dress for meeting with immigration officials.
Clothing should fit well
There are many different styles of clothing, and every person has his or her own unique preferences. You might be among those who like to wear big, baggy pants or shirts. The only problem is that this wouldn’t necessarily be the best choice of attire for attending an immigration interview.
You’re better off choosing clothes that fit well. You want to look neat, clean and professional. While there are no laws against a certain type of clothing at an immigration interview, what you wear could definitely influence the interviewer’s impression of you. You want to make an impression that shows you understand the seriousness of the situation.
An immigration interview is not the time to be extreme
It’s best to avoid wearing attention-grabbing clothing when you’re meeting with immigration officials to discuss your legal status or some other important issue. It’s not the time for plunging necklines, pants worn below the buttocks or jeans with lots of shredded holes in them.
If you can think in terms of business casual attire, you’ll be fine. For women, avoiding super high heels is a good idea. Men may want to choose a collared, button-down shirt over a tee shirt. Consider an outfit you might wear to a job interview and choose something similar.
Who can help you choose clothing for an immigration interview?
Perhaps, you have a friend or relative who has already navigated an immigration interview process. Speaking with them ahead of time can be a great source of support.
Many people meet with immigration legal advocates before attending an interview because an attorney can help with any issue pertaining to rules and regulations, personal rights, legal status problems, or other pertinent matters.
