9:40 came and went, 9:46, I checked my phone, 9:56,--"Immigration is usually on time"--10:15--I checked with the sign-in desk, "He's in the queue"--at 10:50 they called his name, like they used to do in a crowded doctor's office lounge--door to magic dust room opens, nurse calls name and if the doctor thinks something has to be "removed" I hope it's not my client.
Black woman, the examiner. I couldn't tell based on looks if she was native American Black (which would be bad; tension with Black immigrants) or from the islands (good).
When we got into her office she asked me, "Who are you?" (native Black (bad) to self)). Attorney. No G20 (attorney's official notice of appearance). I got the notice of the hearing just like Pierre did. Oh it was in the back of the file. During the interview you can't speak. I understand. If you want me to ask a question, wait till the end. I sat to the left and slightly behind Pierre so that Ms. Rinville could see that I was not signaling to him in any way. I could not see but the top of her head for the two large computer monitors on her desk.
But, "Caline Rinville," desk nameplate, Haitian (good). A framed photo of President Obama on the bookshelves behind her desk! (Good!).
"Raise your right hand," (demonstrating).
Pierre leaning forward not understanding.
"Hearing...loud...can't read...," just the important words, me.
"Do you want this in English or Creole?," her.
"Pierre, do you want this in English or Creole?", me.
"English."
"I'm going to have to talk to my supervisor. You can speak to him."
"Pierre...English...Creole?"
"I try in English."
Ms Rinville was only gone a minute.
"English," me.
"Raise your right hand."
Complies.
Black woman, the examiner. I couldn't tell based on looks if she was native American Black (which would be bad; tension with Black immigrants) or from the islands (good).
When we got into her office she asked me, "Who are you?" (native Black (bad) to self)). Attorney. No G20 (attorney's official notice of appearance). I got the notice of the hearing just like Pierre did. Oh it was in the back of the file. During the interview you can't speak. I understand. If you want me to ask a question, wait till the end. I sat to the left and slightly behind Pierre so that Ms. Rinville could see that I was not signaling to him in any way. I could not see but the top of her head for the two large computer monitors on her desk.
But, "Caline Rinville," desk nameplate, Haitian (good). A framed photo of President Obama on the bookshelves behind her desk! (Good!).
"Raise your right hand," (demonstrating).
Pierre leaning forward not understanding.
"Hearing...loud...can't read...," just the important words, me.
"Do you want this in English or Creole?," her.
"Pierre, do you want this in English or Creole?", me.
"English."
"I'm going to have to talk to my supervisor. You can speak to him."
"Pierre...English...Creole?"
"I try in English."
Ms Rinville was only gone a minute.
"English," me.
"Raise your right hand."
Complies.
