U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has launched a new, large-scale internal initiative aimed at detecting fraud and improving data verification across immigration filings. Internally referred to as “Operation TwinShield,” the program marks one of the most extensive vetting efforts in recent years — and it is already affecting processing times for family-based,...
Category: Green Card
What to Know Before Marrying a U.S. Citizen on a Tourist Visa — Risks & Realities
Many couples find themselves in love and ready to marry while one partner is in the U.S. on a tourist visa. While marriage to a U.S. citizen is legal, the immigration path afterward can be far more complicated. Missteps can lead to denials, long separations, or even removal from the United States.
Filing an I-130 Petition at the U.S. Embassy in India: What You Need to Know
When a U.S. citizen wants to sponsor a close family member for a green card, the Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) is usually filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States. However, in very limited and exceptional circumstances, it may be possible to file the I-130 directly at...
USCIS Strengthens Marriage-Based Green Card Scrutiny: What Couples Need to Know in 2025
On August 2, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released updates to its Policy Manual that significantly change how marriage-based green card cases — and certain other family-based petitions — are reviewed.
While preventing fraud has always been part of the process, these updates increase the level of scrutiny,...
Dignity Act of 2025: A New $20,000 Fast Lane to Green Cards for Long-Waiting Immigrants
A new bipartisan immigration bill introduced in Congress — the Dignity Act of 2025 (H.R. 4393) — could offer relief to immigrants who have been stuck in the green card backlog for over a decade. If passed, the bill would allow certain applicants to pay a $20,000 premium fee to fast-track their green card...
USCIS Updates Interview Criteria for Refugees and Asylees Applying for Green Cards
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released an important policy update regarding interview requirements for refugees, asylees, and their derivative family members who are filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
Effective immediately, USCIS has reestablished a uniform baseline of screening and vetting...
Understanding When Your Green Card Priority Date Is “Current” — And What It Means for You
Each month, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) releases the Visa Bulletin, which determines when individuals can move forward in the Green Card process. For those applying through employment-based immigration, tracking your “Priority Date” is critical. But what exactly does it mean for that date to be “current,” and how does it...
Green Card Holders: Important Reminders Before You Travel Abroad
If you’re a U.S. lawful permanent resident planning to travel internationally this summer, it’s more important than ever to prepare carefully. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are asking more questions at ports of entry—and even long-term green card holders may face delays or complications if they aren’t ready.
Reentry Risks for Green Card Holders: What to Know Before Traveling Abroad
At NPZ Law Group, we are hearing that other of our colleagues are seeing increased enforcement actions at U.S. ports of entry involving lawful permanent residents (LPRs) returning from extended international travel. If you hold a green card and plan to stay outside the U.S. for six months or more, you could...
From J-1 Visa to Green Card: What You Need to Know About the Path to U.S. Permanent Residency
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program offers opportunities for international scholars, researchers, trainees, interns, and physicians to come to the United States for temporary, purpose-driven stays. But for many J-1 holders, life and opportunities in the U.S. evolve — and the question becomes: Can I apply for a green card from J-1 status?