USCIS Announces Changes To Good Moral Character Standard For Naturalization Applicants

In an Aug. 15 policy memo, USCIS issued new guidance on how it will evaluate "good moral character" (GMC) for naturalization applicants.

USCIS is moving away from a checklist-style review toward a more rigorous, holistic, and comprehensive assessment. The goal is to ensure that applicants granted U.S. citizenship are not only free from disqualifying acts but also demonstrate positive attributes and contributions to society.

Background

• Pre-1990: GMC determinations considered both negative and positive factors, viewing legal bars as minimum disqualifiers. USCIS officers weighed evidence like community service, family responsibilities, and rehabilitation.
• Post-1990: Changes in immigration law (including the expansion of "aggravated felony" definitions and fixed bars for certain offenses) led to a more mechanical, exclusionary approach, focusing mainly on the absence of statutory disqualifications.