Overview
- Government policy changes now require in-person interviews for most spouse petitions and have largely removed routine interview waivers.
- Officers are carrying out staggered interviews, unannounced home checks, neighbor questioning and expanded field investigations to verify cohabitation.
- Sponsoring spouses face closer financial and tax reviews, including stricter enforcement of the Affidavit of Support and bank-account checks.
- Advocacy groups and lawyers report growing backlogs, longer processing times, military-family disruptions and some voluntary departures from the United States.
- Federal data show marriage-based green cards remain a large share of family immigration and legal challenges over pauses and enforcement are underway while USCIS defends the tougher screening.