Past H-1B Filing Turns Ugly, Green Card Still Approved

A marriage based green card interview at the USCIS Philadelphia Field Office turned unexpectedly tense for a couple. The issue centred on an old H-1B petition that the applicant claimed never formally existed. The interaction left both of them anxious.

The applicant first entered the US on an F-1 visa and is currently on Day-1 CPT. He married a US citizen in Pennsylvania in June last year. The couple filed Forms I-130 and I-485 in September 2025 along with a work permit request.

During the interview, the officer questioned him extensively about a consultancy that had allegedly filed an H-1B petition in 2023. The applicant said he worked there for only two months and withdrew before any petition was formally submitted. He described the exchange as extremely stressful.

For nearly 20 minutes, the officer focused on the past employer rather than the marriage. The interview ended abruptly with a note that the case required further review. The couple left expecting a Request for Evidence in the coming weeks.

However, the outcome surprised them. The I-130 was approved the very next day, followed by I-485 approval a day later. The swift turnaround brought immense relief after what felt like a difficult interview.

At a time when USCIS has strengthened background screening, the approvals came as reassurance. The case suggests that even intense interviews may still lead to fair outcomes. For many applicants, it reinforces hope in the process.