The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency that oversees legal immigration, has told its officers to look at more factors when deciding if someone applying for American citizenship meets the standard of “good moral character,” according to CBS News.
“One of the requirements for naturalization is good moral character (GMC). An applicant for naturalization must show that he or she has been, and continues to be, a person of good moral character,” the USCIS notification said.
The notification further stated, “In general, the applicant must show GMC during the five-year period immediately preceding his or her application for naturalization and up to the time of the Oath of Allegiance. Conduct prior to the five-year period may also impact whether the applicant meets the requirement.”
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In the past, this standard mostly meant showing a clean record with no major crimes or serious violations under U.S. law. Offenses like murder, aggravated felonies, drug-related crimes, or even a pattern of habitual drunkenness could disqualify someone from being considered of “good moral character.”
Now, with the new guidance, USCIS officers are being asked to look beyond just these clear-cut offenses. USCIS, in its policy update on Friday, said the definition of “good moral character” will no longer be limited to just checking if someone has stayed away from wrongdoing. The agency made it clear that this process cannot be reduced to box-ticking or a checklist. Instead, it must involve “more than a cursory mechanical review focused on the absence of wrongdoing.” Officers are now directed to conduct a “holistic assessment of an alien’s behaviour, adherence to societal norms, and positive contributions that affirmatively demonstrate good moral character.” In simpler terms, USCIS explained that this means looking beyond a checklist of bad behavior and instead weighing the bigger picture like an applicant’s conduct, respect for social norms, and positive contributions to society.
The new update also highlights that applicants who can show positive qualities and contributions will be given more weight in the review process. This could include things like being active in the community, taking care of family, pursuing education, maintaining steady lawful work, building long-term residence in the U.S., and keeping up with tax responsibilities.
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The updated USCIS rules also ask officers to take into account signs that an applicant has turned things around after past mistakes. This could mean following probation terms, clearing overdue taxes or child support, or providing letters that show support from the community.
The policy shift comes at a time when naturalizations remain strong. In 2024 alone, more than 818,000 people became U.S. citizens. Mexicans made up the largest group with about 107,000 approvals, while Indians followed with over 49,000, continuing their position as the second-largest community gaining citizenship. The memorandum behind the update, titled “Restoring a rigorous, holistic and comprehensive good moral character evaluation standard for aliens applying for naturalization (citizenship),” makes clear that citizenship is “more than a legal benefit—it represents a profound transformation into active and responsible membership in American society.”