What to Know Before Your Green-Card Interview: 2025 Alert
What’s changing — Why you should be on guard
Beginning around mid-November 2025, immigrants attending what were once considered routine green-card interviews at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices — including spouses of U.S. citizens — have been unexpectedly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). So far, this appears to be a problem in San Diego but there are fears it could spread to other USCIS offices. NBC 7 San Diego
Many of the people arrested reportedly had no criminal history. Their only “problem” was a visa overstay. KPBS Public Media
Applicants say arrests have occurred at or just after their green-card interview — sometimes with little or no warning. Spouses holding babies and families waiting together have been separated in front of each other. NBC 7 San Diego
As one immigration lawyer put it, what was once considered a “safe-zone” (USCIS green-card interview) may now be treated as a “capture point.” Immigration Analytics
What this means for you (or someone you know)
If you — or a loved one — are preparing for a green-card interview in 2025, you should know:
There’s no guarantee of safety — even if you entered the U.S. lawfully, married a U.S. citizen, and followed all the correct procedures. Overstaying a visa may now trigger detention.
Your partner or family may be at risk — Arrests have happened in front of spouses and children, even infants. This can be deeply traumatic and disruptive.
What was once ‘routine’ feels unpredictable. Many detained applicants believed they were on track for approval. Instead, they found themselves in handcuffs.
Your paperwork may not protect you. Being in process is not a shield from enforcement if ICE decides to act.
What you should do before the interview
Here’s a checklist for anyone planning to attend a green-card interview. Think of it as “risk mitigation,” not just “best practices.”
| Step | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Hire an experienced immigration attorney (if you don’t already have one). | Given recent arrests, having counsel on call is more than helpful — it may be essential. Visa Lawyer Blog |
| Do a full check of your immigration history before the interview. | Sometimes old visa overstays, missing I-94s, or prior immigration encounters (even non-criminal) may trigger detention. Immigration Analytics |
| Bring complete documentation — passports, visa history, marriage certificates, cohabitation evidence, prior status history, etc. | Having full records may help address questions or ambiguities on the spot. USA Immigration Lawyer |
| Make a family contingency plan. | If one spouse is detained, who will care for children? Who can handle bills or housing? Plan it ahead. |
| Consider timing and risk factors carefully. | When possible, assess whether certain “high-risk” factors (long overstay, weak entry history, prior notices/orders) may warrant delay or alternative paths. Herman Legal Group |
What you should ask your attorney before the interview
When consulting with your lawyer, make sure to cover:
Do you see any red flags in my history (visa overstay, missing entries, prior immigration notices)?
Should we consider requesting more time, or delaying the interview — given current practices?
What are my realistic risks and worst-case scenarios (detention, removal proceedings, family separation)?
Do I have a plan if ICE shows up — representation, bond, access for spouse/family, children’s care, emergency contacts?
Should I gather extra evidence to support my “good faith,” legal entry, and relationship bona fides (if applying based on marriage)?
A final word
The 2025 wave of arrests at green-card interviews — even for people with no criminal history — is a dramatic shift in how immigration law is being enforced. What once was the final step in a hopeful legal journey now carries risk.
If you are planning a green-card interview, treat this moment as you would any critical legal juncture. Get informed, get prepared, and think beyond just the paperwork — prepare for all eventualities. Part of any plan should be hiring an immigration lawyer with both federal court and immigration bond experience.
Call us at (405) 616-5999 for your green card needs. Steven Langer has the federal court and immigration court experience to protect your rights at a green card interview.