The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced sweeping updates to marriage-based green card policies—effective August 1, 2025—mandating in-person interviews in nearly all spousal visa cases and sharply increasing evidentiary requirements to detect fraudulent petitions. What’s Changed? 1. Mandatory In-Person Interviews for Nearly All Cases USCIS now requires face-to-face interviews in essentially all marriage-based […]
Editorial credit: Lyonstock / Shutterstock.com U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual that will enhance our capability to screen and vet family-based immigrant visa petitions. This update explains requirements and adjudication of these petitions, including eligibility criteria, filing, interviews, and decisions. Fraudulent, frivolous, or otherwise non-meritorious family-based immigrant visa petitions erode confidence in family-based pathways to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. The U.S. visa system is complex, and unintentionally overstaying a visa is a common issue for many foreign nationals. However, overstaying can have severe consequences, including bans on reentry, loss of future visa eligibility, and possible deportation. Understanding the penalties associated with unlawful presence in the U.S. is crucial, as well […]
By Mary Campbell For many non-citizens and green card holders in the United States, public assistance programs provide critical financial support, food security, healthcare, and housing assistance. However, receiving public benefits can also impact an individual’s ability to adjust status, naturalize, or petition for family members under U.S. immigration laws. Understanding how federal and state […]
By Esther Claudette Gittens For many non-citizens and green card holders in the United States, public assistance programs provide critical financial support, food security, healthcare, and housing assistance. However, receiving public benefits can also impact an individual’s ability to adjust status, naturalize, or petition for family members under U.S. immigration laws. Understanding how federal and […]
By Leslie Dellon, IMMIGRATION IMPACT The American Immigration Council does not endorse or oppose candidates for elected office. We aim to provide analysis regarding the implications of the election on the U.S. immigration system. The Supreme Court recently cut off another path for judicial review of decisions by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) adjudicators. […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. | Editorial credit: art4you1 / shutterstock.com One of the most common pathways to obtaining permanent residency (commonly known as a green card) in the United States is through family-based immigration. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) can petition for certain family members living overseas to join them in […]
