How to Pass Your Marriage Green Card Interview in 2026

Getting approved for a marriage-based green card in 2026 can feel intimidating, but preparation starts long before you walk into your USCIS interview. In this episode of Pink Politics, immigration attorney Kathleen Martinez breaks down how she prepares marriage-based green card cases, from documenting a bona fide marriage to preparing for the interview itself. She explains her “banks, babies and bills” approach, including shared finances, living arrangements, children, insurance, leases, witness statements and photos. USCIS itself lists evidence such as joint property, a shared residence, combined financial resources, children together, affidavits and other documentation showing an ongoing marital union as examples of evidence that can demonstrate a bona fide marriage. Kathleen also shares her advice for the interview: what to do in the waiting room, why over-rehearsing can backfire, how to handle questions you don't remember, what happens if a couple is separated for questioning, and what an RFE or Notice of Intent to Deny can mean for a case.