Marriage used to be a glide path to citizenship. Now there are more speed bumps

People wave U.S. flags to celebrate becoming U.S. citizens after taking the oath of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony in Boston in January 2025.

Spouses of U.S. citizens have traditionally had a special place in immigration law. That's no longer the case, according to the administration and immigration lawyers.

(Image credit: Joseph Prezioso)