Spouses of U.S. citizens now face new hurdles due to policy changes imposed by the Trump administration. Efforts to slow legal migration have affected this group, traditionally immune from such measures.
Recent changes include pausing immigrant visas from 75 countries and increasing scrutiny during green card interviews. As a result, many non-U.S.-citizen spouses fear engagement with the U.S. immigration system, leading to separations between loved ones.
Effects on U.S. Citizen Spouses
Ashley DeAzevedo, head of American Families United, notes increased difficulties for Americans married to foreign nationals. The organization now supports about 1.4 million in the U.S. and 300,000 abroad.
Many members, fearing indefinite detention, chose self-deportation. Detention of spouses has surged, breaking previous norms prioritizing who gets detained.
Historical Privileges Undermined
Historically, spouses of U.S. citizens held privileges under immigration law. Exempt from immigrant quotas, they were considered a privileged class, not needing to maintain legal status for status adjustment. Sharvari Dalal-Dheini of the American Immigration Lawyers Association highlights these changes.
The administration argues previous administrations should have scrutinized marriage-based applications. USCIS insists on rigorous identity and history verification to ensure American safety, stating marriage does not shield individuals from deportation.
Role of Family and Fiancé Petitions in Immigration
Immediate family, including spouses and fiancés, form crucial interactions within the immigration system. In 2024, roughly 343,000 received green cards through spouses, representing about a quarter of total approvals.
Family sponsorship extends to children and parents, doubling approved green card numbers. Processing averages 13 months for family and 7 months for fiancés as seen in early 2025, pre-policy shift. Early 2026 saw 167,401 immediate family and 8,612 fiancé petition approvals.
Specific Challenges Among Non-Citizen Spouses
Non-citizen spouses face unique challenges, particularly from 70+ countries facing travel and visa holds. Es, married to a U.S. citizen and born in a travel-ban country, stands affected. Despite three decades in the U.S., her citizenship application remains stalled due to the 39-country travel ban.
This pause also affects military families, offering no exceptions. Uncertain citizenship status impacts couples’ future logistics, housing, and children’s welfare.
A judge deemed the pause unlawful, yet Es’s case remains unresolved, exemplifying broader disruption among innocents.
Delays at consulates compound issues, leaving spouses or fiancés without legal status. Stricter USCIS scrutiny adds difficulty, affecting those who lose temp protection status.
Impact on Engagement and Trust
New policies deter engagement with immigration. Enhanced application scrutiny discourages families from cooperating with USCIS.
Recent memos urge USCIS officers to interview more, requesting applicants to return home country for green card applications. Stays increase vetting time and intensity, while said requests like bank checks add further anxiety.
Eric Welsh, a California-based immigration attorney, warns spouses face vulnerabilities. No guarantee exists for green card or citizenship status.
DeAzevedo observed families’ reluctance to proceed, acknowledging chilling effects on spousal sponsorship decisions.