The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued sweeping changes to its green card marriage application process in a bold move to crack down on fraudulent cases and tighten verification of spousal relationships.
The updated policy, now in effect as of August 1, 2025, applies to all pending and newly filed family-based immigration petitions, particularly those involving marriage. The new guidance, published in the USCIS Policy Manual, marks a significant shift in how U.S. immigration authorities handle spousal green card applications.
What’s Changing?
Under the updated policy, couples seeking lawful permanent residence through marriage will face more stringent requirements to prove their relationship is legitimate and not an attempt to bypass immigration laws.
According to USCIS, the decision is part of its broader effort to strengthen the integrity of family-based immigration, one of the cornerstones of U.S. immigration policy.
“Fraudulent, frivolous, or otherwise non-meritorious family-based immigrant visa petitions erode confidence in family-based pathways to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status and undermine family unity in the United States,” the agency said in an official statement.
What Applicants Now Need to Provide
Couples will be expected to submit more robust and verifiable evidence, such as:
- Joint financial documents, including shared bank accounts, lease agreements, and utility bills
- Photographs that chronicle the couple’s relationship and time spent together
- Personal affidavits or letters from friends, family, or community members attesting to the authenticity of the relationship
USCIS may also examine prior immigration filings involving the same sponsor or beneficiary to detect patterns of potential abuse.
Mandatory In-Person Interviews
In-person interviews will now be required more frequently, even in cases where the paperwork seems in order. During these interviews, immigration officers may ask detailed questions about the couple’s life together, from how they met to their daily routines.
“Marriage-based petitions are an area where fraud is not uncommon, and this policy aims to deter misuse of the system,” said Emily Grant, an immigration attorney based in New York. “It will increase the burden on legitimate couples, but it also ensures a more thorough vetting process.”
Increased Focus on Immigration History
Another key update includes a deeper dive into the applicant’s immigration history. USCIS will now look more closely at:
- Visa status at the time of application (e.g., H-1B or F-1 student visa)
- Any prior filings involving the same sponsor or foreign national
- Duplicate petitions or patterns of repeated green card attempts
The goal is to spot red flags that may indicate manipulation of the system.
Approval Doesn’t Mean Immunity from Deportation
One critical clarification from USCIS is that an approved family-based petition does not protect an applicant from deportation. The agency may still issue a Notice to Appear in removal proceedings if the applicant is otherwise ineligible to adjust status or has violated immigration laws.
“A petition approval is not a free pass,” said USCIS. “If the beneficiary is removable, we may proceed with enforcement actions.”
Special Cases for Overseas Petitions
The new rules also offer guidelines for certain cases where U.S. citizens may file marriage-based petitions abroad, such as:
- Immediate family members of U.S. military or government personnel stationed overseas
- Emergency situations including natural disasters or conflict zones
In some cases, applications filed in the U.S. may be redirected to the National Visa Center for overseas processing if the applicant is deemed ineligible to adjust status domestically.
What This Means for Future Applicants
All family-based immigration petitions, whether submitted before or after August 1, 2025 will now be evaluated under this updated guidance.
Immigration advocates are urging couples to be thorough and honest in their applications. “If your relationship is genuine, you have nothing to fear, but you should prepare well,” said Sanjay Malhotra, a Chicago-based immigration advisor. “Be ready for deeper scrutiny and document everything.”
This policy shift comes amid rising political and public attention on immigration issues in the U.S., with particular focus on how the system can be safeguarded against abuse. While critics argue that the new rules could overburden genuine couples, supporters claim they are essential to protect the credibility of the U.S. immigration system.
USCIS has made the full text of the updated policy available on its official website, and immigration experts suggest reviewing it thoroughly before submitting a green card petition.
As the agency continues its crackdown on potential fraud, applicants should expect a more rigorous, detail-oriented, and possibly lengthier green card approval process.
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