USCIS Tightens Scrutiny of Family Ties in New Immigration Policy

The United States 🇺🇸 is tightening family‑based immigration starting August 1, 2025, as USCIS boosts screening of petitions, allows denials without RFEs, and applies rules to pending cases. Officials say the aim is to stop fraud tied to family ties and protect national security, but attorneys warn families face higher denial and deportation risk.

What changed on August 1, 2025

USCIS updated its Policy Manual to expand interviews, verify documents more deeply, and review the authenticity of relationships tied to Form I-130 petitions. Approval of a petition no longer guarantees a green card. If officers find ineligibility or fraud at any point, removal proceedings can start.

A major shift: officers may now deny without issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID). That means many applicants will not get a second chance to fix gaps before a decision.

The policy applies retroactively to all pending and new filings. According to agency data cited in policy materials:
– More than 2.4 million family cases were pending in June 2025
– About 1.9 million of those were pending over six months
– Nearly 520,000 I‑130s were filed in the first half of 2025

For official guidance, USCIS directs families to the Policy Manual update, available at https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual. Petitioners must still file Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with strong evidence of a real relationship. The form and instructions are here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-130.

How stricter vetting affects families

USCIS frames the changes as necessary to protect the system and ensure only genuine relationships lead to permanent residence. The agency emphasizes national security and the need to stop fraud that, in its view, harms public trust and family unity.

Immigration attorneys counter that removing RFEs and NOIDs raises the stakes for pro se filers (people who file on their own). If evidence is thin or unclear, a case can be denied quickly, and officers may issue a Notice to Appear to start deportation proceedings. Advocacy groups worry some honest families will be split because they don’t know the rules or lack legal help.

Analysis by VisaVerge.com notes the policy creates a heavier burden of proof for petitioners and beneficiaries. The site highlights that people without legal status face the sharpest consequences, especially if they attend interviews without a complete record.

What USCIS is looking for

Under the update, officers focus on verifying the truth of claimed family ties. Expect:

• Expanded interviews for petitioners and beneficiaries
• Deeper document checks, including cross‑agency reviews
• Closer review of multiple or related petitions
• Clarified rules for overseas filings by U.S. citizens, including military families

USCIS also clarifies when interviews are required and how it treats cases filed from abroad. That helps service members who need to file while stationed overseas, aligning with recent legislative changes.

Step-by-step process now

1. File Form I-130 with thorough relationship evidence: marriage certificate, birth records, joint bills, insurance, photos, and affidavits.
2. Enhanced screening follows: background checks, document verification, and possible interviews to confirm a bona fide relationship.
3. Possible immediate denial if evidence is weak or fraud is suspected, without an RFE or NOID.
4. If approved, the case goes to the National Visa Center or moves to adjustment of status with USCIS.
5. Removal proceedings may start at any stage if the person is found removable or ineligible.
6. Appeals and waivers remain possible, but the burden is higher and timelines are tight.

The Dignity Act of 2025: limited relief

Passed in July, the Dignity Act creates a short‑term “Family Purposes” visa so relatives can attend weddings, funerals, and reunions. It also gives DHS discretion to waive inadmissibility or decline removal in some hardship cases.

For military families, the Act:
– Streamlines naturalization
– Supports certain overseas filings

These steps soften some edges but do not change the tougher screening of immigrant petitions.

Real‑world scenarios

• A U.S. citizen files for a spouse who overstayed a visa. With stricter vetting, the couple should prepare for detailed questions on their life together. Submitting only a marriage certificate and a few photos risks denial without an RFE, and the spouse could be placed in proceedings.

• A permanent resident files for an adult child. If the officer sees several prior petitions filed by relatives for the same beneficiary, that pattern draws closer review. Clear, consistent documents and honest explanations become vital.

• A service member stationed abroad needs to file quickly. The updated guidance explains when overseas filing is allowed, which can prevent delays for military families.

Practical steps to lower risk

• Front‑load strong proof. Include joint leases, tax returns, bank accounts, children’s records, and a full photo timeline. Explain gaps with short, clear letters.
• Stay consistent. Dates, addresses, and names should match across forms and records.
• Prepare for interviews. Practice common questions about daily life, finances, and history. Bring originals and organized copies.
• Watch status issues. If the beneficiary lacks status, consult a qualified attorney before attending any USCIS interview.
• Track mail and case status. Because RFEs may not come, treat silence as a warning sign and check your case online often.
• Keep copies. Save everything you file and everything you receive.

Common pitfalls under the update

• Thin proof of daily life together. A license and a few photos rarely carry a case by themselves.
• Inconsistent timelines. Mismatched dates for living together, jobs, or trips raise doubts quickly.
• Sparse financial records. Cash‑only habits leave little paper trail; add insurance, leases, or notarized statements.
• Recycled affidavits. Copy‑paste letters with no personal detail carry little weight.
• Staged evidence. Bundles of new joint accounts opened right before filing can invite closer checks.

If you’re denied or get an NTA

• Act fast. Appeal and motion deadlines can be short.
• Get counsel. Bring your full file, receipts, and interview notes.
• Fix the record. If refiling is allowed, address each gap with specific documents.
• Keep attending hearings. Missing a date can make things worse.

Important: Missing a hearing or failing to respond promptly can dramatically worsen the outcome. Deadlines matter.

Why this matters now

Family petitions make up a large share of the system. With more than 2.4 million pending cases, even small policy shifts affect many households. The retroactive reach means people who filed months ago now face the new rules, which can surprise families who expected opportunities to supplement evidence later.

USCIS states that tighter checks protect national security and public confidence. Advocacy groups reply that families who play by the rules could still be harmed. Both points can be true: the system must fight fraud, and it must also keep processes fair for honest petitioners. Clear instructions, fair interviews, and consistent decisions will determine whether the policy meets both goals.

Key takeaways

• Effective date: August 1, 2025
• Applies to: new and pending family cases
• Core changes: stricter vetting; denials without RFE/NOID; approval doesn’t guarantee status; removal proceedings possible at any stage
• Who is most at risk: people without lawful status and those who file with thin evidence
• What to do now: build a complete record before filing Form I-130, prepare for interviews, and seek legal help when needed

For questions, call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1‑800‑375‑5283. Petitioners can review the Policy Manual at the link above and find Form I-130 and instructions on the USCIS website.