If you’re applying for a marriage-based green card, you may be wondering: What questions will they ask at the interview? How can I prove my marriage is real? What should I bring? These are not small concerns, especially in today’s immigration environment, where the stakes are higher than ever.
At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we’ve seen firsthand how much pressure is being placed on immigrant couples. The green card interview is no longer a routine step in the process. It is a serious legal evaluation of your relationship, your background, and your intentions. Officers are trained to dig deep, challenge your story, and uncover inconsistencies, even in genuine marriages. Denials are rising. Delays are more common. And interviews are getting longer and more intrusive.
Whether you are a U.S. citizen or green card holder sponsoring your spouse, or you are the immigrant spouse seeking lawful permanent residence, preparation is key. We’ve helped thousands of couples across Connecticut, including in Waterbury, Danbury, Bridgeport, Hartford, and Norwalk, pass their interviews and build a secure future. This blog will walk you through everything you need to know to be fully prepared.
Why the Interview Matters So Much Right Now
The marriage-based green card process has always included a mandatory interview. But under President Trump’s administration, USCIS interview procedures have changed dramatically. Officers are instructed to look for fraud, contradictions, and inconsistencies. Even couples in genuine marriages are facing skepticism.
This isn’t just about paperwork. It’s about preparation, strategy, and knowing how to respond in a high-stakes environment. A poorly handled interview can lead to delays, denials, and in some cases, removal proceedings.
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Are You Eligible for a Marriage-Based Green Card?
Before you even get to the interview stage, eligibility must be clearly established. Here are the general requirements:
- You must be legally married to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
- Your marriage must be bona fide, meaning it is real and not entered into just for immigration purposes.
- You must be admissible to the U.S., which means you don’t have certain criminal convictions or immigration violations.
- The petitioner must meet income requirements to support the immigrant spouse.
If you’re not sure about your eligibility or if there are complications in your history, speak to an immigration attorney right away. Small errors or omissions can lead to serious consequences.
What Happens at the Interview
The interview typically takes place at a local USCIS office. In Connecticut, that may be in Hartford, New Haven, or other field offices depending on where you live. Both spouses are expected to attend, and an officer will review your case together, and sometimes separately.
Immigration officers will carefully review every part of your petition, supporting documents, and how you respond to their questions. This is not just a quick check for paperwork errors. It’s a deep evaluation of whether your marriage is genuine or entered into for immigration purposes.
During the interview, you and your spouse may be asked to explain:
- How and when you met: Be prepared to describe the timeline of your relationship, including where and how you first met, how it developed, and how long you dated before getting married.
- Your wedding and honeymoon details: Officers may ask who attended your wedding, where it took place, and whether you had a reception or honeymoon. They may also ask to see photos or documentation like invitations or receipts.
- Your daily routines: Expect questions like: What time do you each leave for work? Who makes breakfast? What side of the bed does your spouse sleep on? These questions are designed to verify that you live together and know each other well.
- Household responsibilities: Be ready to discuss how you divide chores and manage household bills. Who cooks, who cleans, who pays which bills, and how you handle finances together?
- Names of friends and family: Officers may ask you to name your spouse’s family members or friends, if you’ve met them, and whether they attended your wedding or have visited your home.
- Shared travel history: You may need to provide details of trips taken together, along with boarding passes, photos, or travel itineraries to prove your relationship has a history.
- Evidence of ongoing communication: If you’ve spent time apart, it’s important to show how you’ve stayed in contact. This could include screenshots of text messages, emails, call logs, or video chats.
- Joint finances or shared accounts: Be ready to submit bank statements, joint leases, insurance policies, or utility bills with both names. USCIS views shared financial responsibilities as a strong indicator of a real marriage.
The goal is to confirm that your marriage is legitimate. Officers are trained to look for red flags and inconsistencies.
What to Bring With You
You should bring original documents and copies of everything you submitted with your application. That includes:
- Your passports, IDs, and marriage certificate
- Joint lease or mortgage agreements
- Joint bank account statements and insurance policies
- Utility bills in both names
- Photos taken throughout your relationship
- Birth certificates of any children together
- Updated I-864 Affidavit of Support and pay stubs
- Any communication records (emails, texts, letters)
Organize your documents clearly. The more evidence you bring, the better. Your file should tell a story that aligns with your verbal responses during the interview.
Common Red Flags That Lead to Extra Scrutiny
Some cases will be looked at more carefully than others. These “red flags” include:
- A large age difference between spouses
- Different languages or religions
- Short time between meeting and marriage
- Minimal evidence of joint finances or shared life
- Prior marriage petitions by the same petitioner
- Marriage after removal proceedings began
- Inconsistencies in answers between spouses
These don’t mean your case will be denied, but they do mean you need to be especially prepared. You should be ready to explain your story clearly and consistently.
Can You Bring a Lawyer to the Interview?
Yes. You have the right to bring an immigration attorney to your interview. This is something we encourage, especially if your case involves prior immigration violations, criminal charges, or any other complexities.
Having an attorney present helps keep the interview fair and ensures your rights are respected. It can also be helpful if the officer asks a legally inappropriate question or misapplies the law.
What Happens If You’re Separated During the Interview
In some cases, especially when officers have doubts about the marriage, you may be separated and questioned individually. This is called a “Stokes Interview.”
You’ll both be asked the same questions separately and then brought back together. Officers will compare your answers for consistency.
The key is not to panic. If your relationship is real, you likely know more about each other than you realize. But it’s still important to prepare ahead of time so that nerves don’t lead to conflicting answers.
What If You Don’t Pass the Interview
Sometimes, USCIS officers will request additional evidence or schedule a second interview. In other cases, they may issue a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID), which gives you a chance to respond before a final decision is made.
A denial can lead to the closure of your case, the start of removal proceedings, or other complications. That’s why we recommend working with a qualified immigration attorney from the beginning, so you’re not facing these issues alone.
Checklist to Prepare for Your Interview
Here is a basic checklist we’ve created for clients preparing for their interview:
- Review all forms and documents you submitted
- Practice answering personal questions with your spouse
- Organize your supporting documents by category
- Label key documents and photos
- Bring original documents and copies
- Arrive at least 30 minutes early
- Dress neatly and conservatively
- Bring your attorney if possible
And most importantly: Be honest. If you don’t know the answer to a question, say so. Don’t try to guess or mislead the officer.
What If You’re Nervous or Don’t Speak English Well?
You are allowed to bring an interpreter if you’re not comfortable speaking English. USCIS officers must conduct interviews in a way that gives you a fair chance to participate.
At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we speak English, Spanish, and Portuguese. We’ve helped many couples prepare by conducting mock interviews and reviewing documents ahead of time.
Immigration Is Not What It Used to Be
Today’s immigration system is more aggressive than it was during the last decade. Interviews that used to take 15 minutes now last over an hour. Officers have greater discretion, and there is more pressure to identify fraud, even when none exists.
This isn’t meant to scare you. It’s meant to prepare you. You deserve a fair process, and with the right support, you can get through it successfully.
What If I Have a Complicated Case?
If you or your spouse have:
- A prior immigration violation
- A pending asylum case
- A criminal record
- A removal order
- Past marriage petitions
Then it is especially important to speak with an experienced attorney. These are not disqualifiers, but they do make your case more complex. You’ll need legal guidance to understand your risks and prepare a strong strategy.
Award-Winning Immigration Lawyers Are Ready to Help You
At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we’ve worked with hundreds of couples from all backgrounds. We understand how stressful this process can be. That’s why we provide clear, honest advice and personalized support every step of the way.
If you’re preparing for a marriage-based green card interview, or have already received your appointment notice, don’t wait until the last minute. Schedule a consultation now to review your case and give yourself the best chance of success.
Call (203) 753-7300 or visit www.welcomelawfirm.com to schedule a confidential consultation. We proudly serve clients throughout Connecticut and across the country. We speak Spanish and Portuguese.
