As we have mentioned in more than one article – your application must be filled out truthfully, and when submitting documents you must include everything that is relevant to your case. Nevertheless, if there are doubts in your application, or if your documents raise any concerns with the immigration officers, this may result in a community interview.
Below you will find information about your rights and the duties of officers during these activities.
First, you need to know that the interview can only be conducted by Border Patrol officers, and the information that will be covered by the inspection includes that contained in the application and relating to your place of work, university or business activities.
Therefore, if the office orders an inspection, there is a high probability that your current situation will be thoroughly investigated.
It is worth noting that the Border Guard is not obliged to inform you of the inspection or its results.
In some proceedings, an inspection is always carried out, such as when you apply for residency on the basis of marriage.
The Border Guard has very vast authority to act during a community interview. However, it is important to remember that you also have certain rights in this situation.
First of all, before starting the interview with you, the officer must introduce himself, in such a way that you can write him down. He must also give you the specific regulations under which he is conducting the inspection. If the officer is not wearing a uniform additionally, he must show his ID card, in such a way that you can make a note of the number. Thus, he must not “wave” it, but should open it and hold it at your eye level in such a way that you can read what is in it.
In addition, the environmental interview can only be conducted between 6 am and 10 pm at night.
The inspection must always be documented. You won’t get a copy of this document, but you can ask the Immigration Office that handles your residency case to see the file. The post-inspection activity report must be there, and you have the right to see it.
Remember that if your rights have been violated, you can always file a complaint against the actions of the Immigration Office.
It is also worth noting that it is not advisable to refuse an inspection at your home. If you do not allow the Border Guard at the time of the environmental interview to enter your home – according to the law, it is assumed that you do not live at the address indicated, and this will result in the denial of a residence permit.
Author: Michał Nowakowski
