The administration of United States President Donald Trump has tightened citizenship rules with the introduction of a ‘Good Moral Character’ policy.
This ‘Good Moral Character’ policy is aimed at introducing stricter guidelines for naturalization applicants.
Announced by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), this policy requires immigration officers to conduct a more holistic evaluation of an applicant’s behavior, societal contributions, and adherence to community norms, moving beyond a simple check for criminal records.
USCIS, in the new guidance, outlined that it is not enough to avoid wrongdoing to become a U.S. citizen.
According to the updated USCIS notice, immigration officers are expected to go beyond simply checking for a criminal record. They’re being asked to conduct a “holistic assessment” of a person’s life.
That means they’ll look at how someone lives day-to-day, how they contribute to their community, and whether they follow U.S. social and legal norms.
Below are what might now count in the applicant’s favor:
• Volunteering or community involvement
• Caring for family members
• Finishing school or continuing education
• Holding a steady job with legal income
• Paying taxes on time
• Long-term U.S. residence with stable roots
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that this comes as Trump has been tightening citizenship rules since his inauguration.
