Can I Bring My Kids to My USCIS Interview?

The immigration interview is not a fast process. It involves a waiting time that can take a while, which is why applicants are always recommended to block off their entire day and dedicate it to the interview.

While this won’t be a problem for some, it can be concerning for parents with babies or toddlers that can’t be left alone at home. They may consider bringing their kids to their USCIS interview, but before doing so, it’s important to find out if immigration has rules regarding it.

Are There Kids in the Immigration Office?

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there used to be a lot of kids in immigration offices accompanying their parents who are scheduled to attend their immigration interviews. They were made to wait in the waiting room while their parents went through the interview proper.

However, since the pandemic, there have been fewer and fewer kids waiting in immigration field offices. If there were children, they were also there for an interview to get their U.S. green cards. It’s become rare for parents to bring their kids to the immigration office unless they had an immigration case of their own.

What if You Need to Bring Your Kids?

Some parents are unable to leave their children at home because of the lack of a babysitter or other guardian. In that case, they are allowed to bring their children to the immigration interview. However, that comes with the responsibility of ensuring that the kids don’t disrupt the interview proceedings.

The parent should prepare and bring everything necessary to take care of the child, such as food, milk, bottles, diapers, a change of clothes, and entertainment. It’s important to note that many immigration offices no longer allow tablets or other electronic devices in the building, so parents will need to provide other entertainment sources for their kids.

Is It Advisable to Bring Your Kids to Your Immigration Interview?

It’s not recommended for parents to bring their kids to an immigration interview because they may pose as distractions during the proceedings. As much as possible, the kids should be left with a babysitter or guardian unless they have been required by immigration to attend.

If that’s not possible and the parent needs to take the kids with them, they should be well-prepared and ready to care for them and ensure that they don’t disrupt the interview proper.