Washington, D.C. — Marrying a U.S. citizen or green card holder no longer guarantees a smooth path to the American dream, as stricter immigration policies take hold under the current administration. In contrast to the more lenient approach seen during the Biden administration, recent changes under President Donald Trump’s immigration policies have led to heightened scrutiny of marriage-based green card applications.
While an interview has always been part of the green card process for immigrant spouses, there has been a noticeable shift in recent months. Immigration officials are now requiring more in-depth documentation about relationships, with some reports indicating that even personal details such as sleeping habits and allergies are being questioned, according to the Times of India (TOI).
Ashwin Sharma, an immigration attorney, told TOI, “Officers will be looking deeper… leaning into their discretion more often than they did in the Biden years. They are already spending more time verifying marriages, and we are seeing an increase in requests for evidence.”
Changes to the Vetting Process
A critical part of the green card approval process is the interview. For spouses residing outside the U.S., the interview is conducted by U.S. consular officials. Those already in the U.S. — such as individuals on non-immigrant H-1B visas — must go through the adjustment of status process, with interviews held by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Immigration experts are advising applicants to be prepared for detailed questioning and to ensure all supporting documents are thoroughly organized. “We’re seeing an increase in requests for evidence, and it’s likely this pattern will soon become official policy,” Sharma explained.
Attorneys also noted that consular officials are paying close attention to the couple’s story, including how they met, their plans for living together, and how they have maintained their relationship. In consular cases, where U.S. citizen spouses are not allowed to attend the visa interview, applicants are solely responsible for providing sufficient proof through documentation.
As the administration intensifies its focus on marriage-based green card applications, applicants are urged to carefully prepare and ensure that all necessary evidence is in place to meet the heightened scrutiny.
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