The New USCIS: Revised Adjudication Policies YOU need to know!!!
USCIS Is Changing Fast — What Every Green Card Applicant Needs to Know in 2025
If you’re currently navigating the U.S. immigration process, there’s something you need to know—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is undergoing some major changes. And these changes are not just policy shifts buried in paperwork—they’re impacting real people in very real ways. Over the past several weeks, there have been multiple reports of individuals being detained at their green card interviews, and others facing unexpected complications when attempting to adjust their status.
These new developments stem from recent internal USCIS policy updates and revised adjudication procedures, quietly rolled out over the past month. Whether you’re applying for a green card through marriage, employment, or any other adjustment of status, understanding these changes is now more crucial than ever.
Below, we break down the key updates, how they may affect your case, and what proactive steps you can take to protect your immigration journey.
The Immigration Climate: Why Are Things Getting Tougher?
The short answer? Enforcement is now a top priority for immigration agencies. The federal government is sharpening its focus on not just removing individuals with criminal backgrounds but also on detaining and removing non-citizens who fall within newly established risk categories—even if they’re in the midst of a lawful immigration process.
In tandem, USCIS is increasing its collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), leading to greater scrutiny, stricter interview processes, and more aggressive enforcement actions during routine procedures like green card interviews.
New USCIS Trends You Need to Watch Out For
Let’s walk through the most significant updates USCIS is now implementing—and what they mean for you.
1. N-400 Citizenship Interviews Are Becoming More Rigid
If you’re applying for naturalization (Form N-400), expect a far more thorough examination of your immigration history—especially if your green card was obtained through marriage. Officers may revisit your previous adjustment case, and if you’re no longer with your sponsoring spouse, you can expect pointed questions about that relationship—even if it was years ago.
Brushing off details with “I don’t remember” won’t cut it. USCIS now expects applicants to be fully prepared to answer in-depth questions about their past petitions, relationships, and living arrangements. Additionally, officers are putting increased emphasis on Section 9 of Form N-400, which asks about your affiliations, memberships, and past declarations of U.S. citizenship. These questions are being reviewed more meticulously than ever before.
2. Interview Waivers Are Becoming Less Common
While some applicants are still having their interviews waived, USCIS is shifting toward conducting more in-person interviews across the board. Whether you’re applying through marriage, family sponsorship, or employment-based adjustment, the odds are increasing that you’ll be called in for an interview—usually within 6 to 8 months of filing.
This policy shift is expected to cause longer backlogs and processing times, and may eliminate the possibility of receiving a green card without an interview. If your application is currently pending, there’s still a chance your interview could be waived. But moving forward, expect interviews to become the new norm.
3. Rise in Stokes (Marriage Fraud) Interviews
Even couples in genuine, straightforward marriages are now facing Stokes interviews—the high-pressure, separated interviews designed to detect fraud. We’ve seen this happen not only in areas like San Diego (where our office is located), but also in cities like Phoenix, New York, Miami, Boston, and Los Angeles.
Here’s what this means: even if your relationship is authentic, you may be separated from your spouse during the interview and asked identical, probing questions for over an hour. It’s a stressful and emotionally taxing process—especially when unexpected. If you’re applying for a marriage-based green card, prepare yourself for the possibility of a Stokes interview, even if your case seems routine.
4. Advanced Parole Applications Are Facing New Hurdles
Applicants who entered the U.S. without inspection, overstayed their visas, or had previous immigration violations are now facing more denials of their Advance Parole travel documents, even if they’ve been approved in the past.
We’ve witnessed applicants with pending marriage-based green cards or DACA status being denied Advance Parole or encountering issues re-entering the U.S. after travel. In some cases, travelers were detained or denied entry. If you have any immigration violations in your past, avoid international travel for now—even if you’ve received Advance Parole. This policy could shift again, but at the moment, it’s simply too risky.
5. Arrests Are Increasing at USCIS Field Offices
One of the most alarming trends we’re now seeing is the growing number of arrests occurring at USCIS field offices during interviews. This is happening because USCIS is now actively coordinating with ICE. If your record includes past immigration fraud, unresolved removal orders, or other immigration violations, you may be at risk of being detained at your interview—even if you’re in the process of legalizing your status.
We’ve seen people with prior asylum cases, expired voluntary departures, or unresolved removal proceedings being taken into custody at the conclusion of their green card interviews. In some cases, applicants were detained simply because USCIS determined their marriage was not bona fide.
If you have any past complications in your immigration record, do not attend your interview alone. It’s absolutely critical to be represented by a competent immigration attorney who can advocate for you and intervene if enforcement becomes a risk.
A Word of Caution on Denials and Removal Proceedings
Perhaps the most significant policy change is this: denied immigration applications can now trigger removal (deportation) proceedings. In the past, a simple denial—perhaps due to an incomplete Affidavit of Support or missing document—could be remedied with a re-filing. Today, under the new guidelines, USCIS may refer your case directly to ICE if it’s denied for any reason.
This makes it more important than ever to submit a complete, well-documented application, including:
- Accurate, up-to-date financial sponsorship documents
- A complete medical exam
- All supporting evidence for your relationship or eligibility
- Separate payments for each USCIS form (no more bundled payments)
USCIS Is Evolving. You Must Be Ready.
We understand how overwhelming this information can be—but knowledge is power. These changes aren’t intended to scare you—they’re here to inform and prepare you. USCIS is becoming more strict, more coordinated with ICE, and more selective in its adjudications. The more prepared you are, the better your chances of success.
If you’re feeling unsure, facing delays, or navigating a difficult immigration situation, we’re here to help. Contact us directly, or visit www.usimmigrationtalk.com and leave your information. One of our experienced team members will reach out to help guide you through your case.