USCIS Broadens ‘Good Moral Character’ Standards for U.S. Citizenship

The Trump administration has ordered U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officials to adopt a “more comprehensive” approach when granting U.S. citizenship to immigrants, requiring them to consider additional factors in determining whether an applicant possesses “good moral character.”

A USCIS memo explained that officers must now evaluate not only disqualifying misconduct but also whether applicants have a positive reputation in their community.

The memo stated:“In the future, USCIS officers must consider the foreign national’s positive qualities, not just the absence of misconduct.”

USCIS Expands Criteria for ‘Good Moral Character’ in Citizenship Decisions

U.S. law has long barred individuals convicted of murder and other serious violent crimes from obtaining citizenship, and applicants were already required to demonstrate good moral character.

However, the new directive encourages officers to also consider rejecting applicants with other criminal records, such as drug use or two or more convictions for driving under the influence (DUI).

The memo further instructs officers to assess behaviors that may not be illegal but are socially unacceptable, such as “habitual reckless driving” or incitement.

It adds:“Repeated criminal behavior, such as multiple DUI convictions, undermines moral character unless rebutted by positive evidence of reform.”

In weighing conditional limitations, officers now have the authority to evaluate all relevant evidence—both negative and positive—before approving or denying naturalization.

USCIS Weighs Rehabilitation in Citizenship Decisions

The memo also urges officers to consider evidence of rehabilitation, including compliance with court orders, payment of taxes or child support, and “community testimony” from those who can vouch for the applicant’s character.

Positive factors such as sustained community involvement, family care or upbringing, education, professional achievements, and tax contributions are also to be weighed.

The memo emphasizes:“Evaluations must go beyond the absence of disqualifying acts and should reflect a genuine positive assessment of who the foreign national is and how they have lived in their community.”

Those seeking citizenship already face multiple requirements, including years of lawful presence in the U.S., compliance with American laws, and passing a civics test—often conducted in English.

USCIS spokesperson Matthew J. Tragesser said in a statement:“U.S. citizenship is the gold standard of belonging—and should only be granted to the best people in the world.”