U.S. Green Card Arrests Surge as Spouses Detained at Immigration Interviews

The United States is witnessing a sharp rise in immigration arrests. Foreign spouses of American citizens are being detained. These arrests are happening during routine interviews. The interviews are conducted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. According to NBC News, this represents a major policy shift.

This new enforcement tactic is causing widespread fear. Lawyers report dozens of cases across multiple states. Applicants with clean records are now at risk. This marks a departure from a decades-long practice. The practice previously allowed these applicants to pursue legal status safely.

A New Legal Immigration Crackdown Strategy

The detentions target individuals applying for lawful permanent residency. Many have overstayed their initial visas. Officials defend the arrests on these grounds. They argue these individuals have fallen “out of status.”

However, immigration law provides specific exceptions. Congress carved these out for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. Spouses are included in this protected category. Experienced attorneys call the enforcement change “unprecedented.” It directly targets people following the established legal path.

Legal Rights and Mounting Panic

The law is clear on this matter. Immediate relatives have the right to adjust their status. This is true even if they were unlawfully present when they applied. According to the Migration Policy Institute, this is the intended legal path. It is designed for spouses to do things “the right way.”

The lengthy processing time creates a vulnerability. Applicants can fall out of status while waiting for approval. They are now being penalized for this administrative delay. This has sown panic within immigrant communities. People with approved petitions are afraid to attend their final interviews.

The exact number of arrests is difficult to pin down. Attorneys cite numerous cases in San Diego, New York, Cleveland, and Utah. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services data shows hundreds of thousands are in similar processing stages. This suggests the recent arrests could be just the beginning.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a statement. It confirms the policy. The agency said individuals “out of status at federal sites” may face arrest and removal. This applies regardless of their family ties or pending applications.

This wave of green card arrests signals a stricter era for legal immigration. It places spouses of Americans in legal limbo. The policy continues to expand the administration’s enforcement reach.

Info at your fingertips

Who is being arrested in these new cases?

Foreign nationals married to U.S. citizens are being detained. They are arrested during their final interviews for permanent residency. Many have overstayed visas but have no criminal history.

Is it legal to arrest someone at a green card interview?

While ICE asserts its broad enforcement authority, immigration lawyers argue it violates congressional intent. The law specifically allows spouses to adjust status even after falling out of legal visa status.

How many people could this affect?

Hundreds of thousands of applicants are at similar stages in the process. The recent arrests, while concentrated in certain cities, indicate a potentially nationwide policy shift affecting many families.

Why is this policy change significant?

It breaks from a long-standing practice that encouraged applicants to attend government interviews without fear. This deters people from pursuing legal status and undermines trust in the immigration system.

What should someone with an upcoming interview do?

Immigration attorneys strongly advise consulting with a lawyer before attending any USCIS appointment. Do not miss your scheduled interview without legal guidance, as that can lead to automatic denial.