Ask the Consul
Is it best to tell the consular officer the truth or should I try to tell them what I think they want to hear?
It is always best to tell the complete truth. If you make up a story and the consular officer discovers that you are lying it could have serious consequences. All consular officers are trained to detect and uncover lies and fraud. If you lie, you may find yourself permanently ineligible for a visa. For example, if you have ever been arrested, you should include this information in your application form, bring in your court records to show the final disposition of the case, and tell the consular officer exactly what happened during your interview. If you have ever been to the U.S. legally or illegally, include this information on your application. For non-immigrant visas, you should be honest about how much money you earn and the amount of money you have in savings. Do not come to the interview with false or inflated bank accounts. The consular officer can verify this information and will refuse anyone who lacks credibility.
For immigrant visas you must be truthful about your relationship with the petitioner and any derivatives. Do not include family members that are not your biological children and never fake a relationship with a petitioner just to obtain an immigration benefit. Otherwise, you may ruin your chance of ever getting a visa.