USCIS Policy Memo PM-602-0199 · May 21, 2026
A new USCIS memo just changed how marriage green cards are decided.
The law didn’t change — the way officers review your case did. Here’s a plain-English explanation, three free tools to help protect your filing, and the actual memo to read for yourself.
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Section 1 — What the memo actually does
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The law didn’t change. The standard of review did.
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Congress did not amend the statute, and USCIS must still accept your I-485. What PM-602-0199 does is direct officers to treat adjustment of status — getting your green card from inside the United States — as the discretionary relief it has always been in law. In practice, your case now has to clear two gates instead of one.
| Gate 1 — unchanged: Do you qualify? The same statutory eligibility requirements that have always applied. |
| Gate 2 — the new emphasis: Do you merit a favorable decision? The officer weighs every positive and negative factor together and decides whether to grant the green card here rather than abroad. |
What this means for you: the absence of bad facts is no longer enough. You have to affirmatively document your positive equities — family ties, good character, contributions, and the genuine human stakes of your case. The three free tools below help you do exactly that, and the full memo is available to download so you can read the source for yourself.
Section 2 — How to use the three tools
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Gather. Write. Defend.
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They’re one system. Use them in order — the evidence you gather becomes the argument you write, which becomes the answers you give at your interview.
Step 1 — Gather
The Discretionary Equities Checklist organizes the evidence you need into seven categories with a checkbox for every document. Start here, one category at a time.
Step 2 — Write
The Discretionary Statement Template turns that evidence into a sworn, written argument for why USCIS should approve you — nine guided sections, signed before a notary.
Step 3 — Defend
The Four Interview Questions Worksheet prepares you for the discretionary questions officers are likely to ask — with model answers and space to draft your own.
Section 3 — Free downloads
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Click any item to download.
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These resources are free to anyone navigating this change. Download the memo too, so you can read the source alongside the tools. For advice on your specific situation, call us for a free consultation.
| Handout 1 — Discretionary Equities Checklist Your evidence inventory — seven categories, a checkbox for every document. Start here. |
| Handout 2 — Discretionary Statement Template A fillable sworn declaration in nine sections — the most powerful document you can add to your filing. |
| Handout 3 — The Four Interview Questions Worksheet Prepare for the discretionary questions at your interview — with frameworks and practice space. |
| The source — USCIS Policy Memo PM-602-0199 The actual memo, issued May 21, 2026. Read it for yourself alongside the handouts. |
Note shown on the page: Not sure whether the memo even applies to your category? That’s a good first question for a free consultation.
Section 4 — When to speak with an attorney
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Some cases shouldn’t be filed alone.
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The tools above are a strong starting point. But if any of the following apply to your case, the stakes are too high to file without representation:
Applies if you have any of the following
- An overstay longer than 180 days, or any unauthorized work history
- A prior visa denial, a border issue, or any criminal history — including arrests without convictions
- Any prior misrepresentation, an RFE on discretionary factors, a denied I-485, or a Notice of Intent to Deny
We can take the same framework in these handouts and build it into a properly represented case.
Buttons
- Button (primary): “Call now · 508-500-1551” — links to tel:5085001551
- Button (secondary): “Book a free consultation” — links to us-immigration-lawfirm.com/free-consultation/
Footer — disclaimer
This page is general information, not legal advice, and using these materials does not create an attorney-client relationship. The handouts originate from The Marriage Green Card System, an educational course offered by Botelho Financial Group LLC — a separate entity from Botelho Law Group PLLC. USCIS policy and adjudication practices change over time; verify current requirements before filing. For advice specific to your situation, schedule a free consultation with Botelho Law Group at 508-500-1551.