Chicago – January 16, 2026
Under the current Trump administration immigration policies:
Officers are scrutinizing marriages much more closely
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has intensified checks to judge whether a marriage is bona fide (genuine) and not just for immigration benefits. Officials may review cohabitation, shared finances, photos, affidavits, communications, etc. Mere legal paperwork alone is not enough if there are serious doubts about the legitimacy of the relationship.
Immigration agents can cancel or delay applications
Experts warn that under new rules, even legally married couples can face delays, investigations, or denials if USCIS believes there are red flags. This might be misinterpreted as “marriage no longer works” — but it’s really just stricter vetting.
Green card processing is being restricted for many applicants
Recent actions include suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of at least 75 countries — though this is not specifically targeted at marriage cases only, it affects many would-be immigrants, including family-based ones.
Family-related protections are being challenged in court
A federal judge has temporarily blocked efforts to end certain family reunification protections — showing there is legal pushback against some changes.
