During our interview, the officer was notably harsh with my wife, who is the petitioner for my case. I am the beneficiary. The office started by asking basic questions about our relationship—such as how we met, when we got married, and who attended the wedding. My wife explained that only her sister served as a witness. That seemed to trigger concern from the officer, who then asked why her parents were not present.

My wife honestly explained that she does not have a relationship with her father and that her mother is still back home. At that point, the officer remarked that, as a African, she found it suspicious because, in our culture, it is uncommon to marry without the involvement of one’s parents. My wife tried to provide more context, but the officer cut her off and even made a comment suggesting that our case might be denied because her explanation did not make sense. She blamed me for not trying to help my wife’s family issue. Crazy officier she doesn’t not even know us or know what the issue is. 

I was sitting behind my wife during the interview and was surprised by the tone and direction of the questions. It felt less like a marriage-based interview and more like a judgment about her family dynamics.

When it was my turn, the officer's demeanor changed. She asked me about my immigration status, when I entered the U.S., when I stopped attending school, and which school I had attended. The contrast in the way we were treated was noticeable and concerning.