Will I Be Arrested During a Green Card Interview in Palm Beach County?

The new administration has implemented drastically different immigration policies than those most of us have become familiar with, and this is leading to paranoia for those approaching green card interviews. If you are preparing for an upcoming interview, you may have heard that certain people have been arrested after attending. Is this going to happen to you? Consider discussing your unique situation with a Palm Beach County immigration lawyer to be sure.

Reports Indicate Arrests Are Occurring at Green Card Interviews

In December of 2025, NBC News reported that there had been numerous confirmed cases of people being arrested during their green card interviews. This issue seems to be particularly problematic for spouses of US citizens. This is because under previous administrations, the general assumption was that if you were married to a US citizen, you were largely immune to ICE arrests and detentions.

NBC News points to several known cases of these arrests across California, but also notes that they are occurring across the entire nation. Perhaps the most shocking aspect of these detentions is their completely unexpected nature. Spouses of US citizens attend the interview under the assumption that the interaction will be mostly routine, only to find themselves under arrest and facing potential deportation.

Did You Overstay Your Visa?

If you overstayed your visa, you might be more likely to face an arrest at a green card interview. This is true even if you are married to a US citizen and believe the upcoming routine is merely a formality. Under previous administrations, the government had a habit of essentially overlooking applicants who overstayed their visas. The general thinking was that as long as you were legally married to a US citizen, you were “safe.” Immigration attorneys often refer to this immunity as a “carve-out.”

An Arrest Does Not Necessarily Prevent You From Getting a Green Card

You should know that even if you are arrested unexpectedly during your green card interview, this doesn’t necessarily prevent you from obtaining a green card in the future. According to various sources, overstaying your visa does not automatically disqualify you from obtaining a visa based on your marriage to a US citizen. However, it could seriously complicate the overall process.

After an arrest or detention, you might have to go through immigration court in order to determine your eligibility. Although you should still get a green card at the end of this process, backlogs could cause significant delays.

Can a Palm Beach County Immigration Lawyer Help Me Prepare for My Green Card Interview?

If you are approaching a green card interview in Palm Beach County, an immigration lawyer may be able to help you prepare. Perhaps most importantly, a lawyer could potentially assess whether an arrest or detention is likely. Although new policies are shocking even the most experienced immigration lawyers, these legal professionals are able to adjust to changing policies and recommend appropriate actions. Contact The Devore Law Group today to continue this important conversation.

Source: 

nbcnews.com/news/us-news/green-card-applicants-married-us-citizens-arrests-uncertainty-rcna247265