US green card via marriage? Expect longer wait times and tougher questions

In a significant shift that continues to reshape the US immigration landscape, spouses of US citizens and green card holders are now facing tougher scrutiny during green card interviews. What began as a crackdown on suspected marriage fraud under the Trump administration has extended into 2025, with immigration officers exercising broader discretion and demanding more detailed documentation.

According to immigration attorneys, both consular interviews for overseas spouses and adjustment-of-status interviews within the US are now marked by more probing questions and higher evidence thresholds. Officers are particularly focused on verifying the authenticity of the relationship — from how the couple met to their plans for a shared future.

“Officers will be looking deeper… leaning into their discretion more often than they did in the Biden years,” said immigration expert Sharma. He noted a marked rise in requests for evidence such as communication logs, shared finances, travel histories, and proof of family involvement.

For consular cases — where the US citizen spouse cannot attend the visa interview — the burden lies entirely on the applicant to prove the relationship is bona fide. “Documents have to tell the full story,” said Sharma, adding that evidence must reflect how the couple met, their ongoing connection, and genuine intent to live as a married couple.

Snehal Batra, managing attorney at NPZ Law Group, advises couples to be ready with everything from money transfer receipts and joint accounts to life insurance documents naming each other as beneficiaries. “Even questions about a spouse’s salary, education, or past marriages may come up,” she said.

The pressure is particularly intense for those married to green card holders, who face longer wait times—typically 3-4 years—and additional skepticism due to prolonged separations. “The longer the wait, the more documentation you’ll need to show the marriage is still thriving,” Sharma added.

Domestic applicants are also being subjected to rigorous in-person interviews with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In suspicious cases, couples may be summoned for a “Stokes interview,” where they are questioned separately and their answers are compared for consistency.

Sample questions include:
• Which side of the bed do you sleep on?
• Who woke up first today?
• How many windows are in your bathroom?
• Does your spouse have any food allergies?
• How many locks are on the front door?

While attorneys have not seen a dramatic spike in such interviews, they warn that even legitimate couples with poor documentation could be at risk. “If a green card is denied due to an alleged marriage fraud, the spouse can be placed in removal proceedings,” Batra cautioned.

As scrutiny intensifies, legal experts urge couples to be thoroughly prepared — not just emotionally, but legally and documentarily — to navigate the increasingly complex path to a green card through marriage.

Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/business/investing-abroad-us-green-card-via-marriage-expect-longer-wait-times-and-tougher-questions-3809398/