Indian families applying for green cards may face even longer waits and tougher scrutiny as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rolls out new guidelines aimed at tightening family-based immigration processes.

The revised policy, now officially added to the USCIS Policy Manual, outlines stricter eligibility checks, enhanced interview protocols, and closer examination of petitions filed for spouses, children, parents, and siblings of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.

The agency says the changes are designed to crack down on what it calls “fraudulent, frivolous, or otherwise non-meritorious” applications, which it argues weaken public confidence in the family-based immigration system. The rules are effective immediately.

What Changes for Indian Applicants?

Indian nationals, who already face years—sometimes decades—of backlogs in family preference categories, are expected to be significantly impacted. The updated process may now require more documentation, increased vetting, and possibly longer delays.

Key Updates Include:

• Stricter interview requirements to ensure that relationships are legitimate and well-documented.
• Increased oversight of petitions filed in bulk or by related family members.
• Closer review of overseas filings, including cases submitted by U.S. military personnel and government staff stationed abroad.
• Expanded authority to issue deportation notices if the beneficiary is found to be ineligible or removable—even if the petition is approved.

The guidance also notes that having a family-based petition approved does not guarantee protection from removal proceedings.

USCIS stated, “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.”

Additionally, USCIS may now refer cases to the National Visa Center if the applicant no longer qualifies to adjust status within the U.S., further complicating timelines for some families.

Larger Impact

India is one of the largest contributors to family-sponsored green card applications, and these new policies are likely to add pressure on families already navigating complex visa backlogs and document requirements.

While the stated goal is to ensure the integrity of family reunification processes, critics fear the updates may slow down legitimate cases and make reunification even harder for families separated across borders.

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