Green Card Interview Nightmare: F1 Visa Holder Grilled Over 'Intent to Return,' Sparking Online Outcry

The journey to securing a Green Card is often fraught with anxiety, but for one F1 visa holder and her husband, a recent marriage-based interview transformed into an unnervingly awkward and intense ordeal. Their story, shared candidly on Reddit, has resonated deeply across the internet, sparking a wave of discussion about the intricacies and pressures of the U.S.

immigration process.

The couple, seeking a marriage-based Green Card, walked into their interview with the usual mix of hope and apprehension. However, the questions quickly veered into uncomfortable territory when the interviewer began to aggressively probe the wife's original intent as an F1 student.

The F1 visa, by its very nature, is a non-immigrant visa, requiring applicants to demonstrate an intent to return to their home country upon completion of studies. Yet, the marriage to a U.S. citizen inherently implies an intent to remain in the U.S., creating a perceived conflict for some interviewers.

According to the wife's candid account, the interviewer's line of questioning seemed designed to challenge her prior intent.

She was reportedly asked if she always planned to stay in the U.S., despite her F1 visa application stating otherwise. This perceived 'gotcha' moment left her feeling 'blindsided' and 'scared,' describing the atmosphere as 'bad faith.' Her husband attempted to clarify, explaining their genuine relationship, but the interviewer appeared fixated on this perceived discrepancy, repeatedly returning to the 'intent to return' clause.

The husband recounted how he tried to explain that their relationship was organic and their marriage decision was independent of her visa status.

He underscored that her initial F1 intent was legitimate at the time. However, the relentless questioning about her past intentions, rather than their current marital bona fides, cast a dark shadow over what should have been a straightforward process. The wife's fear of having her green card denied, simply because her life circumstances changed, was palpable throughout the ordeal.

Taking their anxieties to Reddit, the couple found an outpouring of support and shared experiences.

Many netizens echoed their sentiments, noting that some USCIS interviewers deliberately attempt to trip up applicants with such 'trick questions.' Common advice included staying truthful, not volunteering extra information, and understanding that changing life circumstances (like marriage) naturally alter one's long-term plans.

Several users shared anecdotes of similar interrogations, reinforcing the idea that this is a common, albeit stressful, tactic employed by some officials.

The core of the issue lies in the doctrine of 'dual intent,' which generally applies to certain visa categories (like H1-B) but is explicitly not recognized for F1 visas.

However, once a non-immigrant marries a U.S. citizen, their intent legally shifts, and they are allowed to adjust status. The interviewer’s disproportionate focus on past intent, rather than the present valid marriage and changed circumstances, is what caused such distress and confusion for the couple and the online community.

This couple's experience serves as a stark reminder of the emotional toll and complexities embedded within the immigration system.

While the outcome of their application remains pending, their story highlights the importance of honesty, resilience, and the invaluable support found in online communities for those navigating the often-intimidating path to a Green Card.