Green Card Shock: 2 Interviews After I-130 Approval?

A green card case suddenly took a strange turn, leaving one couple confused and anxious even after clearing what many consider the biggest hurdle.

A US citizen and his wife recently shared their experience online after immigration authorities scheduled a second interview for the wife’s green card case. The twist is that the couple had already attended their marriage interview about seven months ago, and the I-130 petition had already been approved.

That approval typically confirms the marriage is genuine and moves the process toward the final green card approval.

However, the woman’s case is special, involving other immigration rules. Years ago, her aunt filed an immigration petition for her father before April 30, 2001, and her wife qualified as a derivative child at the time because she was around 10 or 11.

The old petition allowed her to remain eligible to adjust status even though she entered America without inspection years later.

According to the husband, she has no criminal history and has never faced court or deportation orders. The couple also submitted the original 2001 petition receipt as evidence.

However, her father’s petition was later terminated under section 203(g) around 2014 because he did not continue the visa process. After waiting months without movement on the green card application, the couple’s lawyer even contacted the senator about the delay.

Instead of a decision, immigration authorities updated the case, saying a second interview will be scheduled, and the notice reportedly says the US citizen husband does not need to attend. Rather than relief, this has brought more anxiety for the couple as immigration rules are getting stricter.

Even the immigration lawyer claims he has never seen partial approval before a second interview. They are now left wondering whether that one family mistake is costing their daughter.