USCIS Announces Stricter Rules for Marriage-Based Immigration Petitions – Effective August 1, 2025

Effective August 1, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued new guidance that significantly raises the bar for marriage-based green card applications. This update aims to strengthen fraud detection, tighten legal scrutiny, and ensure compliance with U.S. immigration laws.

Official USCIS Memo: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/20250801-FamilyBasedImmigrants.pdf

At The Ahluwalia Firm, we help couples throughout San Jose, Santa Clara, Fremont, and the Bay Area confidently navigate the marriage green card process under these stricter standards.

What’s Changing in USCIS Marriage-Based Adjudication?

Under the updated guidance, couples filing for marriage-based green cards should expect:

1. Stronger Documentation Requirements

USCIS will now require applicants to submit more extensive, detailed proof of a bona fide marriage. This includes:

• Evidence of shared long-term residence
• Joint financial records including taxes and bank accounts
• Relationship history showing the evolution of the couple’s life together
• Family and social recognition of the marriage

Even genuine couples may face processing delays or denials if their evidence is weak or disorganized.

2. Expanded Use of In-Person Interviews

USCIS officers will now conduct a more rigorous evaluation of the legal validity of the marriage, especially when either spouse has a prior immigration history involving petitions, denials, or inconsistent filings. This includes:

• Reviewing prior Form I-130 or K-1 visa petitions filed by or on behalf of either spouse
• Identifying patterns of repeated spousal filings, which may raise red flags about marriage fraud
• Evaluating prior visa denials, overstays, or any inconsistencies in representations about marital status
• Scrutinizing marriages performed online, by proxy, or in international jurisdictions where laws may differ
• Confirming lawful termination of all prior marriages, including divorces, annulments, or deaths
• Ensuring both parties were legally free to marry at the time of the current marriage

Applicants should be prepared for USCIS to cross-reference their current petition with prior immigration records and public databases. Any inconsistency, even if unintentional, may trigger additional scrutiny or delays.

2. Closer Review of Marriage Validity and Immigration History

USCIS will now conduct heightened scrutiny of the legal validity of the marriage and the immigration history of both spouses, especially in cases where the petitioning spouse is a lawful permanent resident (LPR) and the beneficiary is adjusting status from within the United States.

This review includes:

• Confirming lawful termination of all prior marriages, such as finalized divorce decrees or death certificates
• Scrutinizing non-traditional marriages (e.g., online, proxy, or international marriages) to ensure compliance with local and federal law
• Ensuring both parties were legally free to marry under the laws of the state or country where the marriage was performed
• Reviewing prior immigration filings, including earlier Form I-130s, I-129Fs, or any past petitions with denial history
• Evaluating previous representations of marital status in immigration records or visa applications
• Analyzing whether the intending immigrant has maintained valid nonimmigrant status during the pendency of the adjustment of status application — a particularly critical issue in F2A cases where the petitioner is a green card holder

This expanded review means that any prior immigration-related issues, even if unrelated to the current spouse, can lead to delays, RFEs, or denials unless properly explained and documented.

Key Evidence USCIS Expect

Couples should not include a robust and diverse set of evidence to support their application:

• Joint lease or mortgage agreements
• Joint bank account statements showing commingling of funds and tax returns
• Photos together over time and with family
• Travel itineraries and tickets showing trips taken together
• Insurance policies listing each other as beneficiaries
• Correspondence and communication records

Why It Matters- Even for Real Couples

Even genuine couples can face delays or denials if their documentation is incomplete or inconsistent, or poorly organized. With the new rules, the standard of proving a bona fide marriage is higher than ever making early preparation essential.

How The Ahluwalia Firm Can Help

At The Ahluwalia Firm, we help couples navigate the more demanding USCIS requirements under the August 2025 policy changes. Our services include:

• Case-specific document checklists to ensure no critical evidence is overlooked
• Organizing and presenting evidence in the strongest possible way
• Mock interview preparation using real USCIS-style questions
• Responding to RFEs or NOIDs if additional evidence is requested
• Assistance with conditional green cards (CR1/F2A) and I-751 waivers

We represent clients in San Jose, Santa Clara, Fremont, Sunnyvale, and throughout the Bay Area, as well as nationwide. With our experience and insight into USCIS procedures, we position your case for the best possible outcome under the new marriage-based green card rules.

Call us at (408) 981-7696 or visit www.ahluwaliafirm.com to schedule a consultation and get started on your application today.