Navigating Naturalization: What the New Good Moral Character Policy Means for You

Are you thinking about applying to become a U.S. citizen? Naturalization is a profound journey, allowing you to fully participate in American society. A key part of this process is showing that you possess Good Moral Character (GMC). Recently, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new policy memorandum, effective August 15, 2025, that clarifies and strengthens how they evaluate GMC for naturalization applicants.

What is Good Moral Character (GMC)?

Becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen is a significant step, requiring not only the right to live and work in the U.S., but also to be an active and responsible member of society. GMC isn’t just about avoiding wrongdoing; it’s about demonstrating your behavior, adherence to societal norms, and positive contributions. USCIS sees naturalization as a “significant legal transformation” that requires both allegiance and character.

A Return to a Holistic View

Before the early 1990s, USCIS officers looked at GMC very broadly, considering positive factors like volunteer service, family responsibilities, and evidence of rehabilitation. Over time, new laws introduced specific disqualifying acts, leading to a “checklist” approach to adjudicating Naturalization applications.

This new USCIS policy signals a return to a “comprehensive, totality of circumstances approach” for evaluating GMC.  This means USCIS officers will now take a holistic view, weighing all relevant evidence – both positive and negative – before deciding on your naturalization application.  In short, when adjudicating an application for Naturalization, officers will be looking for a character that aligns with the standards of an “average citizen” in your community.

More Emphasis on Your Positive Contributions

The new policy places greater emphasis on your positive attributes and contributions. This is good news, because it means that your positive actions will count.  Here are some key positive factors USCIS will be looking at:

• Sustained community involvement and contributions in the United States.
• Family caregiving, responsibility, and ties within the United States.
• Educational attainment.
• A stable and lawful employment history and achievements.
• The length of your lawful residence in the United States.
• Compliance with tax obligations and financial responsibility in the United States.

Greater Scrutiny on Disqualifying Behavior

While positive contributions are important, the new policy directs USCIS to focus more attention on any behavior or actions that could disqualify you from having good moral character, such as:

• Permanent Bars to GMC: These are serious offenses that will always prevent you from naturalizing, regardless of how much time has passed since the offense. Examples include murder, aggravated felony, crimes of violence, persecution, genocide, torture, or severe violations of religious freedom.
  
  
• Conditional Bars to GMC: These acts can disqualify you from Naturalizing, but may not be permanent depending on the circumstances.  Examples include controlled substances violations, two or more convictions for driving under the influence (DUI), false claims to U.S. citizenship, unlawful voter registration, or unlawful voting.
  
  
• Other Acts Contrary to Average Citizen Behavior: Even if something you have done is technically lawful, USCIS could view it as being inconsistent with civic responsibility and find that it undermines your GMC. Examples include reckless or habitual traffic infractions, harassment, or aggressive solicitation.

For any such acts, USCIS will review all available documentation and may question you about the specific circumstances to determine if they should bar your naturalization.  Thus, you should be prepared to produce documentation concerning these acts and be ready to answer questions at your Interview.

The Importance of Rehabilitation and Reformation

If you have engaged in past wrongdoing, this new policy also highlights the importance of demonstrating genuine rehabilitation and reformation.  In other words, you will need to provide evidence that you have turned your life around that your current actions support a finding of GMC. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Rectifying overdue child support payments or other family obligations.
• Complying with probation or other conditions imposed by a court.
• Community testimony from credible sources attesting to your ongoing GMC.
• Reforming or mentoring others who have similar past experiences.
• Full repayment of overpaid benefits (like SSI).
• Full payment of overdue taxes.

Your Full Story Matters

In sum, this new policy empowers USCIS officers to review your complete life history. It requires you, the applicant, to present your full story, demonstrating how your life aligns with a pattern of behavior that is consistent with the current ethical standards and expectations of your community.

We are here to help you understand how this policy applies to your unique situation and to build the strongest possible case for your naturalization application.  Contact U.S. Immigration Lawyer Sean D. Hummel to schedule a consultation to discuss your case.