The US is cracking down on immigration-related fraud by increasing scrutiny of spouses of US citizens or newly-weds who are yet to enter the country. Gaining a green card through marriage is no longer a straightforward process under the Donald Trump administration.
The process of obtaining a green card through marriage to a US citizen or lawful permanent resident has become significantly more stringent, as American immigration authorities increase scrutiny over potential fraud. While marriage-based green card applications have historically included an interview stage, recent months have seen a shift toward more intense vetting.
The relaxed approach once seen under the Biden administration — including occasional interview waivers — has been scaled back. The stricter policies introduced during the Trump era continue to shape current immigration procedures.
According to a TOI report, immigration attorney Ashwin Sharma said that officials are now adopting a more investigative approach. “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,” he said.
If the spouse applying for a green card resides abroad, the interview is conducted at the relevant US consulate, such as in India. Those already in the United States — for instance, on a non-immigrant H-1B visa — must apply for adjustment of status, with interviews carried out by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
