Washington, D.C., August 4, 2025 — The United States has rolled out stricter guidelines for marriage-based green card applications, intensifying scrutiny of family-based immigration cases to curb fraudulent entries and reinforce immigration integrity.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its policy manual under the section titled “Family-Based Immigrants”, effective immediately. The new directives apply to both pending and future applications.
According to USCIS, the move aims to safeguard the credibility of the family-based lawful permanent resident (LPR) pathway. “Fraudulent, irrelevant, or baseless applications undermine confidence in our immigration system and weaken family unity in the U.S.,” the agency said in an official statement.
Key Policy Changes:
The updated guidance introduces several major changes:
Stricter Documentation Requirements: Couples must now submit extensive evidence of a bona fide relationship, including joint photographs, financial documents, and affidavits from friends and relatives.
Mandatory In-Person Interviews: All applicants will undergo face-to-face interviews, during which officials will assess the authenticity of the relationship.
Comprehensive Background Checks: USCIS will review prior applications, especially those involving repeated sponsorships or inconsistencies in personal immigration history.
Increased Oversight of Visa Holders: Applicants already residing in the U.S. on other visas — such as H-1B or J-1 — will be examined more closely. Approval of a green card will not shield an applicant from deportation if other disqualifying factors are found.
Officials say these measures are designed to detect sham marriages and prevent individuals with fraudulent intent from securing legal residency in the United States.
High-Profile Case Sparks Policy Shift
The tougher rules follow several high-profile fraud cases, including one involving Indian national Akash Prakash Makwana. In May, Makwana admitted to entering a fake marriage after the expiration of his J-1 visa. He had submitted falsified documents and falsely claimed domestic abuse to obtain a green card. The case drew national attention and triggered renewed calls for immigration reform.
Impact on International Applicants
Under the revised policy, U.S. citizens sponsoring foreign spouses — including from Bangladesh and other South Asian nations — must provide compelling evidence of a legitimate relationship. Failure to do so could delay the application or trigger an investigation.
USCIS emphasized that these steps are necessary to “enhance the effectiveness of its verification protocols” while staying aligned with federal immigration law.
