US tightens family immigration policy with stricter vetting and interview rules

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released a detailed policy update effective August 1, 2025, aimed at tightening screening procedures for family-based immigrant visa petitions. The updated guidance, part of the USCIS Policy Manual, reinforces the agency’s efforts to detect and deter fraudulent applications while verifying the authenticity of family relationships.

“Fraudulent, frivolous, or otherwise non-meritorious family-based immigrant visa petitions erode confidence in family-based pathways to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status and undermine family unity in the United States,” USCIS stated in its release.

Expanded screening and vetting measures for National security

The agency underlined its focus on national security and compliance with immigration laws. USCIS said, “We are committed to keeping Americans safe by detecting aliens with potentially harmful intent so they can be processed for removal from the United States.” The update is designed to ensure only genuine and verifiable family ties lead to permanent residence.

What the new rules clarify

The updated guidance includes the following key points for those applying through family sponsorship:

• Who can apply and what to submit: It explains who is eligible to file a petition and what documents must be included.
  
• Handling multiple petitions: If a person files more than one petition for different relatives, or if there are other related filings, USCIS will take that into account when making a decision.

• When you can file from outside the US: US citizens living abroad, especially military members and government employees, can file petitions directly from overseas in some situations.
  
  
• Where the petition goes after approval: If USCIS approves a petition, but the person applying for the green card cannot adjust status in the US, the case may be sent to the National Visa Center to continue the process abroad.

• When interviews are required: USCIS explains when it will call both the petitioner and the beneficiary for in-person interviews.

• Approval doesn’t mean you can stay: Even if a petition is approved, it does not give legal status. If the person is found to be ineligible for any reason, USCIS can still begin removal proceedings.

Immediate implementation

The policy guidance is effective immediately and applies to all pending petitions as well as new ones filed on or after August 1, 2025.

USCIS reiterated that the update is part of broader efforts to protect the integrity of the family-based immigration system, stating that this change will improve the agency’s capacity to vet marriages and family ties “to ensure they are genuine, verifiable, and compliant with all applicable laws.”