Couples going through the marriage-based green card process often tell us the interview is the part they dread most. That makes sense. You have spent months gathering documents, paying fees, and waiting. Then comes a face-to-face appointment where an officer decides whether your marriage is real. Understanding what that appointment actually looks like takes a lot of the fear out of it.
The marriage-based green card process sits within a broader body of federal immigration law that governs how foreign nationals gain lawful permanent residence through family relationships. At its core, the interview exists for one reason: to confirm that your marriage is genuine and not entered into just to obtain an immigration benefit. That is the standard USCIS applies, and it shapes every question an officer will ask.
Where the Interview Happens in Chicago
For couples living in the Chicago area and applying through adjustment of status, the interview takes place at the USCIS Chicago Field Office. Chicago applicants file with the USCIS Lockbox facility but attend interviews at the Chicago Field Office located at 101 W Ida B Wells Dr. The Chicago Field Office does not serve all of Illinois; USCIS field-office jurisdiction is based on the applicant’s ZIP code. So if you are coming from Wicker Park, Pilsen, or the suburbs out along I-290 or I-294, plan your travel time accordingly. The Loop can be unpredictable, especially during morning rush.
Recent USCIS data shows a national median of about 6 months for family-based I-485 applications in FY2026 through July 31, 2026, though individual processing times vary. That is a wide window, and we encourage clients to reach out early so they are not scrambling to prepare when the interview notice arrives.
Who Needs to Be There
Both the petitioner, the U.S. citizen spouse, and the beneficiary, the foreign spouse, must attend the interview together. If you have children who are also applying for green cards as derivatives, they may also be required to appear. This is a joint process, and the officer will observe your interaction as a couple.
An attorney can also attend. We accompany clients to these interviews regularly, and having legal representation present means someone is there to step in if a question is unclear or if something unexpected comes up. That matters more than most people realize going in.
What the Officer Is Actually Looking For
The interview will be conducted by a USCIS officer who is specifically trained for marriage-based green card interviews. The interviewing officer’s primary goal is to assess the authenticity of the marriage. The officer is also looking to assess whether the foreign spouse qualifies for a green card.
Two things are happening simultaneously in that room. First, the officer is trying to determine whether the relationship is real. Second, the officer is confirming that the applicant is admissible to the United States. Beyond the bona fides of the marriage, the officer must confirm that the immigrant spouse is admissible to the United States. They will verbally go through the general eligibility and inadmissibility grounds section of the I-485 form, which contains a long list of yes/no questions.
About those inadmissibility questions. This is where clients sometimes get tripped up. One of the most serious areas of inquiry is criminal history. The form asks if you have ever been arrested, cited, charged, or convicted of any crime. You must answer this truthfully, even if the charges were dismissed, expunged, or sealed. USCIS background checks are extensive and will likely uncover any undisclosed incidents. Transparency is not optional here.
The Questions You Will Be Asked
Questions typically focus on the history of the relationship, day-to-day activities, living arrangements, and future plans. Officers may ask about how you met, when you decided to marry, details about your wedding, your morning routines, sleeping arrangements, household responsibilities, finances, and knowledge of each other’s families and backgrounds.
Frankly, some of these questions feel oddly personal. What side of the bed does your spouse sleep on? Who does the grocery shopping? What did you eat for breakfast this morning? Officers ask these things because they are difficult to fabricate convincingly. A couple that has actually built a life together answers these questions naturally, even if they get a minor detail wrong here or there.
Be honest and direct in your answers. If you do not remember something, say so rather than guessing. Officers understand that spouses may not recall every detail identically, but significant contradictions or apparent fabrications raise serious concerns. Small memory gaps are normal. Wildly inconsistent answers about where you live are not.
What Happens After the Interview
Possible outcomes include approval, a request for additional evidence, further review, or denial. Most commonly, a request for additional evidence may ask for extra documentary proof that your relationship is authentic, such as additional utility bills, bank statements, or statements from friends and family regarding the relationship.
The consequences of a problematic interview have intensified under current policy. If USCIS denies your application while you lack lawful status, you may be referred to immigration court. That is not a situation anyone wants to be in. Preparation matters, and so does having someone in your corner who knows how these interviews actually unfold.
We work with couples throughout the Chicago area, from the Near North Side to the southwest suburbs, navigating every stage of the green card process. If your interview is coming up or you are just starting to think about filing, we encourage you to reach out before problems arise rather than after. Contact Borjas Law Group, LLC today to talk through where you stand.
