November 06, 2026 – PRESSADVANTAGE –
Immigration attorneys across the country report that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has sharply reduced interview waivers for marriage-based green card applicants, making in-person interviews the expected step for most couples. The shift follows a USCIS Policy Manual update issued on August 1, 2025, which tightened scrutiny of family-based petitions, including marriage-based cases, and applies to both pending and newly filed applications. A May 2026 USCIS policy memo on adjustment of status, which directs officers to treat green card applications filed inside the United States as a matter of discretion, adds to the more rigorous review.
Filings remain available, but legal practitioners note that couples who once expected a waived interview should now prepare carefully, organize evidence of a genuine marriage, and be ready to answer questions in person. The change affects a broad range of applicants, from recently married couples filing their first petition to those seeking to remove conditions on existing green cards.
Colavecchio & Colavecchio Law in Nashville, TN has responded to the policy shift by emphasizing structured interview preparation for the couples it serves. The family-owned immigration law firm, led by attorney Christopher Colavecchio, provides marriage green card assistance that includes eligibility assessment, petition and application preparation, evidence organization, and detailed interview readiness sessions. The firm’s attorneys prepare couples for USCIS interviews, and Christopher Colavecchio personally attends interviews alongside clients to provide guidance and support.
“The reduction in interview waivers means that most couples should expect to appear before a USCIS officer and explain the details of their relationship,” said Christopher Colavecchio, attorney and founder of Colavecchio & Colavecchio Law. “Preparation now matters more than it did a year ago. Couples who gather their documentation early and understand what officers are looking for are in a far stronger position.”
The firm helps applicants anticipate Requests for Evidence and Notices of Intent to Deny, responding with timely legal analysis when such notices arrive. Its team assists with spouse and fiancé visas, adjustment of status, removal of conditions on green cards, and citizenship applications, in addition to marriage-based petitions.
“A genuine marriage still qualifies for a green card, but the process requires more attention to detail under the current guidance,” Colavecchio said. “The firm’s role is to help couples present an accurate, well-organized case and walk into the interview room prepared rather than anxious.”
Client reviews of Colavecchio & Colavecchio Law reflect the firm’s focus on clear communication and attentive case management, with the practice holding a 4.9 rating across dozens of reviews. The firm serves clients in Nashville, across Tennessee, throughout the United States, and internationally.
Colavecchio & Colavecchio Law is a family-owned immigration law firm based in Nashville, with a team carrying more than a decade of individual experience in immigration matters. The firm concentrates on family-based and marriage-based green cards, waivers, adjustment of status, citizenship and naturalization, and representation before the USCIS Nashville Field Office. The practice approaches each case collaboratively, drawing on the combined knowledge of its attorneys to support clients through complex immigration processes.
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For more information about Colavecchio & Colavecchio Law, contact the company here:
Colavecchio & Colavecchio Law
Colavecchio & Colavecchio Law
615-242-3333
info@colavecchiolaw.com
339 Harrison St, TN 37219, United States
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