Married couples applying for US Green Card to face tougher rules

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced new policy guidelines to tighten oversight of family-based immigration, with a particular focus on marriage-based green card applications.

The revised guidance, published on August 1 in the USCIS Policy Manual under the section “Family-Based Immigrants,” is now in effect and applies to both pending and newly submitted petitions.

According to USCIS, the updated policies are designed to strengthen eligibility verification and curb fraudulent applications.

The agency said that non-genuine or frivolous petitions not only undermine the credibility of the immigration system but also pose a threat to national security and disrupt the foundation of family-based immigration in the US.

The guidance introduces more stringent procedures to evaluate the authenticity of spousal relationships.

Couples applying for permanent residency must now provide more detailed and convincing documentation to prove the legitimacy of their marriage.

This includes financial records showing joint ownership, photographs reflecting shared life experiences, and written statements from friends or relatives who can attest to the couple’s relationship.

Also Read: New US Policy to check applicants’ social media before granting visas, green cards

In-person interviews for marriage-based applications will now be mandatory in most cases, allowing officers to assess the couple’s familiarity with one another and verify the details of their relationship.

USCIS officers have also been directed to closely examine an applicant’s prior immigration history and scrutinise any previous family-based petitions filed by or for either party.

The agency clarified that even the approval of a green card petition does not guarantee protection from deportation. If the applicant is otherwise found to be in violation of immigration laws or poses a security concern, removal proceedings may still be initiated.

The policy shift follows recent marriage fraud cases that have raised alarms within immigration enforcement circles.

In one such case earlier this year, Indian national Aakash Prakash Makwana pleaded guilty to entering a fraudulent marriage after overstaying his J-1 visa.

Makwana submitted fabricated documents to support his green card application and falsely claimed domestic abuse to exploit immigration protections.