How to become an immigration court interpreter | Immigration court interpreting: How to get started

[@orestesvega2475]

Rosa is the Real Go Getter. She set her goal and achieved it.

[@Interprepedia]

Thanks, Orestes! 🤗

[@tonyvalle3690]

Congratulations to you, Rosa! This is an outstanding service that you are providing to anyone interested in interpreting in Immigration Court.

[@Interprepedia]

Thank you, Tony! I don't know if you remember but about a year ago you were very kind to me and gave me the reassurance I needed to move forward when I was starting out. You inspired me so much I feel lucky to be able to pay it forward.

[@mariasanabria7355]

I'm studying to become a interpreter, this video is wonderful to improve my knowledge and experience with my job as a interpreter. Thank you for the opportunity to watch this video!❤

[@sunflower5361]

Hi Rosa - I'm glad I found your channel! I also was recruited and took the training through Sosi and I did everything the same except the final evaluation ! because it was at the time of COVID - I stopped interpreting for Sosi until recently - I only do VRI - because the Immigration court is far away

[@Interprepedia]

Hi! That's awesome! That's one advantage we have now. There are a lot of remote hearings for us to cover :) Thanks for reaching out!

[@JanetPlanet]

You should also include that there is the option of becoming an in house interpreter. Not everyone who works in immigration court has to go through SOSI, but instead can get hired directly by DOJ.

[@Interprepedia]

Great suggestion, @JanetPlanet!

[@fitginiii]

Do you need to be certified?

[@yourfriendalwaysl6990]

do you know the process to get hired for DOJ?

[@Letsgo-og8st]

Gracias Rosa, siempre he querido ser intérprete pero me pongo súper nervioso me falta confianza pero tú video me ánimo mucho

[@Interprepedia]

Hola, Alex. No sabes cuánto me alegra escuchar eso. Sigue adelante y haz tus sueños realidad ✨

[@haydyelsanabary3858]

You’re amazing, I love the way you study and improve your skills and I learn a lot from you.

[@Interprepedia]

Haydy! Your comments make me so happy! Thank you so much!

[@yanalalaqabaniempoweredsel7830]

Thank you!

[@marielargildner2367]

Thank you for sharing your experience Rosa! This video was extremely helpful and informative video.

[@Interprepedia]

Hi Mariela! I'm glad it was helpful! Thanks for being here!

[@mariagaspar6380]

Thank you Rosa, for sharing. This information is so helpful to get prepared.

[@Interprepedia]

Hi, Maria! I'm so glad it was helpful! I wish you the best of luck! You got this!

[@Jessica_JMo]

Hi Rosa, I'm so pleased to tell you that I did pass the exam! wohoo! Now, I have my final 'real life' in court exam (Individual Merits Hearing this Monday!) I'm nervous. What's the most helpful advice you wish someone would've given you?

[@Interprepedia]

Hi! Congratulations!!! OMG! I hope you rocked it! The most helpful advice to me would have been to stay calm and to print and pre-translate as much stuff as I could for the oral decisions.

[@mairarivera6615]

Me gusto ese testimonio, soy abogada en mi país natal y hablo inglés, pero quiero especializarme más en el inglés aquí, porque me gustaría un trabajo de traductor de la corte

[@Interprepedia]

Muchas gracias, Maira! Éxitos en tu transición!

[@djab1451]

I have my first screening test next week and I’m really nervous because I want to pass and continue with the class and hiring process but I am nervous because I mainly interpret for medical clinics. What can help me prepare for the initial screening?! Please help!

[@Interprepedia]

Hi! Sorry I somehow missed this message. For what I understand, the initial screening is mainly to assess if you have a good command of English and your other language and not necessarily your command of advanced legal/immigration terminology. I hope you succeed!

[@dora24dg]

I'm taking this today

[@ZaryPoveda]

Can you share with us the handbook with glossaries and scripts in pdf format they gave you? ;) thank u in advance.

[@Interprepedia]

Hi, Zary! I wish I could but the material is copyrighted so I can't 😔

[@nesolea1]

Great presentation! I actually already passed the test that SCSI administers and I’m just waiting for the courts to reopen. I’m practicing every day and studying the vocabulary. But I still find the practices from lecture 5 and 6 very, very difficult. Any suggestions while I wait fir the courts to reopen?

[@Interprepedia]

Thank you and 🎉congratulations 🎉on passing the test!!! It seems to me you are absolutely on the right track by practicing daily and studying. Something I wish I had done before my first hearing was to translate the scripts and the oral decisions templates to bring them with me to court. The judge I interpreted for the first time READ the scripts 😱and it would have been so much easier and a lot less stressful to have those handy. Plus, it's a great way to still practice your vocabulary while you translate them.

[@nesolea1]

Interprepedia thx! Maybe I’ll run into u when they reopen the courts!

[@JanetPlanet]

@@Interprepedia Do you have a script for a 42B decision? I recreated one for a I-589 to help others who are overwhelmed by oral decisions, so I am really looking for a 42-B, then I will have the two most common ones.

[@Interprepedia]

@@JanetPlanet I don't have one at the moment, but I'll do some research to see if I can post it in the future. Indeed, oral decisions can be overwhelming.

[@jazminvillalobos5177]

Alguna idea de cómo podría practicar mi velocidad y comprendiendo?? Estoy en la meta para tener mi licencia !!! Thanks so much for this videos !!!

[@Interprepedia]

Hola 👋 Muchas gracias por compartir tu comentario. Te recomendaría la técnica de “shadowing” que se basa en repetir lo que escuchamos textualmente. También el ejercicio de parafrasear el mensaje original (en las prácticas) ayuda con la comprensión. Éxitos 🙌🏽

[@Jessica_JMo]

Hi Rosa, thanks so much for sharing this useful info! I'm taking the final exam tomorrow and I have a couple questions. How may I contact you?

[@Interprepedia]

I hope you kicked that exam in the 🍑

[@ritavargas3193]

Thank you for sharing I’m interested in doing interpretation not sure if I’m interested in medical / court /. I been employed for Costco for 24 years and i need a change I have been doing interpretation on my own for family members needing in that area , any interpretation school you suggest or any sources so I can study .

[@Interprepedia]

Hi, Rita! Thank you for posting your comment and congratulations on pursuing this big change in your life. There are so many schools and trainers it's hard to recommend a specific one but I made a video with tips on how to select a training program that is right for you, check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKO0eqytabRnl6M | If you are looking for resources to study, I'd recommend start with this free book that although it's mainly for telephonic interpreters, it offers a lot of information and even scripts for some practice that any interpreter can benefit from: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIu8d36Zjp1sZsU

[@aconc0011]

Wow this was very helpful. I am actually in the middle of the training for immigration certification with the Southern California taught by Mr.Wagner. I have been studying my butt off yet still find it very challenging especially the part in which Mr.Wagner stresses that you need to be at 180 words per minute in interpreting in order to deliver at 160 words a minute, something like that if I am not mistaken. I am reaching cause I am very nervous and so badly want to excel and pass. However, I feel like I am taking so much time in studying that it has slowed me down with finishing the material on time. Any suggestions?

[@Interprepedia]

I can totally relate! The same thing happened to me. I felt I had to "get it perfect" each time before I felt ready to move forward. The thing is, it does take time - and you don't have a lot of it during the training. I just accepted that I wasn't going to get it perfect each time in the beginning and after that, I was able to move forward. I'd watch a lecture and do the practices, recorded myself, and moved on to the next. After I completed it, I felt more relaxed and less pressured so I focused only on practices the days before the test. You CAN do it!!!!!

[@aconc0011]

@@Interprepedia Thank YOU! What you are telling me is very encouraging. I needed to hear this today. I have gotten into this "paralysis of practicing" that has been backfiring. No more thanks to you. Onward and forward. Now back to studying. Crossing my fingers!!! Muchas gracias, un abrazo ;-)

[@fitginiii]

I passed the course with a 75 and i have no clue how. I have my orientation this Friday after like 10 months of passing the test so I’m taking a refresher class and I’m soooo nervous

[@gladysacevedo9289]

@@fitginiii how much did they start you out at?

[@franciscarichardson6204]

Hello, very nice presentation. It encouraged me to interpret for people from my area. How do get in contact with an organization?

[@Interprepedia]

Hi, Francisca! Thank you! I am so glad it was encouraging for you. What type of organization would you like to contact? An interpreting company? Please let me know and I will do my best to point you in the right direction.

[@franciscarichardson6204]

@@Interprepedia thank you. I can with any organizations it individually too. Whatever can get me in to interpret. You help is more than appreciated. Fran

[@Interprepedia]

There is high demand for interpreters in the medical field, especially now that telemedicine is booming. I would suggest starting out by taking a medical interpreter training course and volunteering or doing pro bono work while you find your first job or contract. Here is a good list to start looking at options for training: tinyurl.com/y2ds8ceb - Good luck!

[@jocelynchow6280]

Can’t see your reply to Francisca Richardson re an Interpreting company to contact. Can you also recommend a web site for applications?

[@Interprepedia]

Hi Jocelyn! The company that I did it with is SOS International. There are job listings posted in many different websites so I would recommend searching on Google first. Some of the websites where I've seen listings are Indeed, LinkedIn, and Lensa. Good luck!

[@robinragan1507]

Can I ask what the rates are at SOSi? for Span-Eng?

[@ayasalloum6319]

Hello, I want to boost my spanish language in legal field how can I do that exactly ?

[@Interprepedia]

Hello, Aya! Thank you for stopping by! Besides taking language-specific courses, I'd recommend reading a lot in Spanish (newspapers, blogs by attorneys, legal books), watching a lot of TV in Spanish (news, documentaries, crime shows) - Even KZbin can be a great resource where you can watch trials, hearings, and presentations and lectures by Spanish-speaking attorneys or other professionals in the legal field. Best of luck!

[@jhssnts]

Hi, what interpreter courses would you recommend? I am open to both medical and legal interpretation but have only practice interpretation in church settings.

[@Interprepedia]

Hi, Jhoss! Thanks for posting the question! It's hard to recommend a specific course because there are so many that are very good but I recently made a video where I share tips on how to select a medical interpreter training, have you checked it out? 👀 I'm sure it will help you figure out what would work best for you.

[@aialaoliveira9018]

Hi! Would you recommend any Legal Interpreter/Translator certificate program? I would love to work in Immigration. I speak Portuguese and it's been so hard to find programs with this pairing. Thanks!

[@Interprepedia]

Hello, Aiala! If you would like to work in immigration, the only specialized program I know right now, is the one offered by the Southern California School of Interpretation, but I am not sure if they are offering language-specific courses in Portuguese. Thank you so much for sharing your question.

[@regantaylor5864]

hello i have to take the first test with Sosi this monday any tips for me ? it would be greatly appreciated

[@Interprepedia]

Hi Regan! I’m seeing this message two days late :( I’m sorry! How did you do? That very first test is mainly to assess your command of your languages of expertise. No biggie if you have a high level of proficiency. Keep me posted!

[@regantaylor5864]

@@Interprepedia hey so i rescheduled for this monday i will let you know

[@regantaylor5864]

@@Interprepedia hey i just took the test and im waiting for the response i was super nervous

[@regantaylor5864]

Hey so I passed the first test and I’m in the training process, training and studying for the final test. Do you have any tips for me so I can pass the test ? Either for the test or the study courses ?

[@irenelady3322]

Could you share your training material in pdf that you've been given during your training process?

[@Interprepedia]

Hi, Irene! I wish I could assist with that but the material is copyrighted and we're not allowed to share it 😥

[@ramonmartinezcruz3224]

Rosa I have experience as a Spanish Interpreter and I need to take 40 hours medical certification I want to take the exam where do you think I can take it and get certified ?

[@Interprepedia]

Hi, Ramon! 👋🏻 There are so many options for medical training courses that it's really hard to recommend one specific program because the one that may be the best fit for you depends on your experience, location, your preferred method of learning, and other factors. Have you seen the video I made with tips on how to choose a training program? If not, come check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKO0eqytabRnl6M

[@biancaisabella2066]

Hi Rosa, thanks for all the through info! I am starting the training soon and am wondering if it will qualify me as a "certified interpreter"? Meaning, if i wamted to later work woth another company for immigration court, will my qualifications count? Also, how long after you started the training did you begin to get paid? Lastly, how many times a week do you get booked for immigration court interpreting? Thabks for your help! 🎉

[@Interprepedia]

Hi Bianca! Excellent question! While your training and experience will definitely be a plus for you, it will not qualify you as a certified interpreter. The reason being, an official certification process has to meet certain requirements that this vetting process doesn’t meet. Now, you ask specifically if in the future this would help if you wanted to work in immigration court for another company - That, I don’t know. It should certainly help, but it will depend on what are the requirements set by that company. They may still ask you to take a test or undergo mandatory training, or something like that. If I recall correctly, I started the training in the summer of 2019 and began taking cases by the fall as there was a waiting period in between. I interpret in immigration court almost daily. Thank you!

[@Felix-qz9cy]

Thanks

[@Interprepedia]

Thank you for always being here! 🤗

[@Felix-qz9cy]

@@Interprepedia i really learn alot..thanks..I want to be certified..like you..

[@gangzhou7515]

Hi, Rosa. Who was your recruiter that put you through this process? Could you provide information about this recruiter? Many thanks.

[@Interprepedia]

Hi, Gang! My recruiter was Michelle but I learned about a year ago that she is no longer with the company :( But if you apply through one of the job listings on LinkedIn, Indeed, or other websites, a recruiter should contact you right away.

[@michelagriffin2000]

I am in the middle of training with Sosi as well, after passing the certification dif you start getting jobs right away?

[@annerisdelahoz3908]

Wow! I am totally blown away by these videos. I am sure I’m watching them in random order but they are offering a lot of insight into the interpreter profession. As I commented on one of your other videos, I’m looking to change careers so I’m a total novice into the world of interpreting; how long have you been doing this for? How long did it take you to get to this level of immigration interpreter? You’re videos show that there is work to be done but the way you relate your experience does put me at ease. Thank you for the service you are providing.

[@Interprepedia]

Aww!!! 🤗 You have no idea how much it means to me. That's exactly what I had in mind with this because I remember feeling so lost when I started 😓 Anyway, I started in 2012 as a telephonic interpreter but I was moving around so I could not really settle to focus and study for a few years. I started in immigration court in 2018. I did not feel ready at all, but I tried my best and took advantage of the course offered. There is work to be done, but it's doable.

[@sargisworld1]

How can I become certified interpreter??? .. I mean from where I can do the interpretation course ?

[@Interprepedia]

Hi, Sargi! For immigration court we don't have an official certification. If you go the same route as I did, once you apply for a "position" (although it's not an employment, it's only a freelance contract) if they select you, they provide training. Check out Indeed, LinkedIn or other sites where you can look for "immigration court interpreter jobs" and that's the place to start.

[@ladycarlypearlofgod4873]

Am in training so stressed

[@Interprepedia]

I totally understand the nerves 😬 but the good thing is, the training is great and it will set you up with the tools you need. You got this!

[@ladycarlypearlofgod4873]

@@Interprepedia I am taking my exam on the 28 of May in french…I am so nervous. Trying to review the whole material …the courts orders and all…any tips for me dear to be more prepared?thank you

[@aliciatavizon001]

How do I get a recruiter? ;)

[@Interprepedia]

🤔 I got in touch with recruiters through job postings on LinkedIn and Proz.com. I think if you search for immigration court interpreter job listings in your area you’ll be able to reach one.

[@Yaya-ty7ou]

How do you get started?

[@Interprepedia]

Hi Yaya! So following the steps suggested in the video is one way to get started but there are other colleagues who are hired by the EOIR office directly and become staff interpreters, other colleagues work in the immigration field but work with immigration attorneys specifically, others work for other companies or language services providers interpreting for different offices like the USCIS, the asylum office, etc.

[@ladycarlypearlofgod4873]

How can i contact you dear

[@Interprepedia]

Sure! www.rosaospina.com/contact

[@ThePaolapantoja]

Did you interpret 4 hours by yourself?

[@Interprepedia]

Yes, I did 😓 It was so hard, I was very tired at the end. The judge gave me breaks every hour or so, but still...

[@djislife9685]

Can i contact you through email?

[@Interprepedia]

Sure! www.rosaospina.com - Looking forward to chatting with you.

[@djislife9685]

@@Interprepedia i have just sent you an email thank you for your time!

[@ClaudiaMartinez-tx4ur]

An u please send me an email to get more information on how to be certified

[@Interprepedia]

Hi Claudia! What certification would you like to obtain? I’ve made videos about medical and state court certifications. Here they are: (medical) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZrYmoGHarKJl8k // (court) kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5LQemClh9KZedk

[@fitginiii]

I have my orientation this Friday. Omg I would be so terrified of doing the judge orders I feel like I’m so behind on that. The terms are crazy hard.

[@Interprepedia]

How did your orientation go?! I know, right? Orders are the most difficult part for me... they take place at the very end when we are already so tired 😰 But don't worry - you'll do great. Just take deep breaths and do your best 💪