Daijiworld Media Network- Washington

Washington, Aug 3: In a significant policy move aimed at curbing fraudulent immigration practices, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has tightened rules surrounding family-based immigrant visa applications, with special focus on marriage-based green card petitions.

The updated guidelines, now officially part of the USCIS Policy Manual under the section "Family Based Immigrants", came into immediate effect from August 1 and will apply to all pending and new petitions. The shift is part of the agency’s broader effort to ensure that only genuine spousal relationships lead to lawful permanent residency.

The new policy mandates stricter documentation and background checks, including submission of photos, financial proof, and affidavits to establish the authenticity of the marital relationship. In-person interviews have also been made compulsory for all applicants, with officials now empowered to conduct deeper vetting of applicants' immigration history and prior filings.

USCIS has made it clear that approval of a marriage-based petition will not automatically shield the beneficiary from deportation if found otherwise ineligible under US law.

The tougher stance follows several high-profile fraud cases, including one involving Indian national Aakash Prakash Makwana, who earlier this year pleaded guilty to entering into a fake marriage to secure permanent residency after overstaying his J-1 visa.

The updated policy also allows immigration authorities to initiate deportation proceedings against individuals found to be misrepresenting facts or engaging in multiple sponsorships with suspicious patterns.

According to USCIS, the new rules are designed to preserve the integrity of family reunification processes, while ensuring national security and legal compliance.