Green Card Marriage in NYC: What’s Changing in 2025?

 

Many couples in New York City are facing delays after President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January that disrupted the processing of green cards. While political orders can be frustrating and unclear, being informed is the first step toward staying on track. In this blog, we are breaking down how the 2025 policy shift could affect your green card marriage in NYC and how you can respond strategically.

What does the new executive order say?

On January 20, President Trump signed an executive order titled ‘Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.’ The order directs US immigration agencies to increase screening measures for anyone trying to enter the country or adjust their status, especially individuals from countries flagged for national security concerns.

The goal of the order is to increase vetting of immigrants, including those already in the US, to ensure that no perceived threat goes unchecked. While the language focuses heavily on national security, its ripple effects are being felt throughout immigration processing—including green card cases based on marriage.

Who will be affected?

At this time, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has not released a list of which applications are paused. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that additional screening will apply to people who have previously received refugee or asylum status and are now applying for legal permanent residency.

USCIS announced a temporary pause on finalizing some adjustment of status applications until the enhanced background checks are completed. That means some green card marriage applications in NYC could face delays, depending on how USCIS chooses to implement the vetting process.

More vetting in store

For a spouse who came to the US as a refugee or was granted asylum, the upcoming changes may feel like a second round of checks layered on top of an already thorough process. Refugees typically undergo extensive screening before they’re even allowed to travel to the United States, with multiple stages of interviews, background checks, and security clearances done abroad.

Laura Collins, director of the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative, pointed out that people who are cleared for resettlement or to remain in the US have already been thoroughly vetted by the government. These applicants must also wait one year before they can apply for a green card.

Still, under the new policy directive, USCIS could introduce additional steps or delays. While the agency hasn’t confirmed the specifics of what ‘enhanced screening’ involves, Collins noted that the last time President Trump was in office, USCIS returned applications for even minor omissions — like leaving the middle name field blank.

It's possible that the new round of reviews may include social media scans or other background verification tools already in use, but with greater scrutiny. The emphasis appears to be on reviewing every detail more closely, even in cases that have already passed through standard approval procedures.

Vetting for legal permanent residency

Even before the latest policy shift, immigrants applying for legal permanent residency — or adjusting their status—undergo thorough background checks. From the time they first apply until their green card is approved, USCIS screens for any red flags such as criminal history or other issues that could lead to disqualification. These checks are already standard practice for anyone seeking permanent status in the US.

The timing of these new pauses is especially frustrating for green card marriage applicants in NYC, as they come just as USCIS was finally making progress on reducing its massive workload. According to an official agency report, USCIS cut its petition backlog by 15% in 2023 (the first such reduction in over a decade). That progress continued in 2024 with another 11.2% decrease.

Now, additional screening could slow things down again, especially for cases flagged for extra review. That’s why submitting a complete and accurate application — and staying proactive — is more important than ever.

Need support?

Let our immigration team at Berd & Klauss, PLLC, help you navigate your green card marriage application in NYC with confidence. We’ll guide you through the process step by step to take the uncertainty out of paperwork, and help you avoid avoidable delays.

Call us today at 212-461-7152 to book your complimentary consultation, or email info@berdklauss.com with your questions. We’re here to help you move forward — no matter how the policies shift.

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