Article Summary

The Trump Administration, through a new USCIS memo, has introduced more stringent and 'holistic' criteria for assessing 'good moral character' in U.S. citizenship applications. This policy expands the review beyond the absence of misconduct to include subjective factors like 'adherence to societal norms' and 'any other acts that are contrary to the average behavior of citizens,' while also considering positive attributes. Critics express concerns about increased subjectivity and potential political bias in immigration decisions, potentially impacting Green Card holders seeking naturalization.

TNP AI: Key Insights

This policy change significantly raises the bar for Green Card holders seeking naturalization, particularly for skilled professionals who have been lawful residents for years. It introduces a subjective layer to what was previously a more objective assessment, potentially increasing uncertainty and anxiety for applicants.

Previously, 'good moral character' was largely defined by the absence of specific criminal offenses and disqualifying conduct. The new directive shifts this to a broader, more interpretive assessment that considers 'positive attributes' but also 'any other acts... contrary to average behavior,' even if technically lawful. This expanded interpretation could lead to a higher denial rate for naturalization applications and potentially open doors for denaturalization proceedings, as alluded to in the article.