The Trump administration is turning up the heat on immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship by putting more weight on the long-standing good moral character requirement.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new policy that changes how officers determine whether someone qualifies as a person of good moral character, making the process tougher than before.
Usually, green card holders can apply for citizenship after three or five years, depending on their case. Alongside English and civics tests, proving good moral character has always been key. For decades, the test was straightforward, no serious criminal offenses, no drug charges, no habitual drunkard record. But the new USCIS memo says the review is no longer just about avoiding crimes. Officers are now instructed to dig deeper and carry out a holistic assessment of behavior, social responsibility, and contributions to the community.
This shift means officers will look at factors that highlight an applicant’s positive side, such as community involvement, stable employment, paying taxes, caregiving responsibilities, and years of residence in the U.S. At the same time, they are told to scrutinize behavior that technically may not be illegal but could still reflect poorly. Reckless or repeated traffic violations, harassment, or aggressive solicitation could now count against applicants.
The policy also makes room for rehabilitation. Applicants who had issues in the past could still prove good moral character if they’ve complied with probation terms, paid overdue taxes or child support, or provided letters of support from their community. It’s a more complex system that weighs both past mistakes and efforts to improve.
In numbers, the U.S. naturalizes between 600,000 and 1 million immigrants each year. That flow could now face more hurdles. USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser defended the move, saying it is meant to “restore integrity” to the system. He added that U.S. citizenship should be reserved for “the world’s best of the best,” and applicants must not only learn American culture, history, and language but also prove good moral character in a way that shows positive integration into society.
But not everyone agrees with the new approach. Doug Rand, a former senior USCIS official under the Biden administration, blasted the policy as an intimidation tactic designed to discourage immigrants from applying. He argued that expanding the definition of good moral character to include minor issues like traffic tickets unfairly tilts the process toward more denials.
The changes are part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to reshape immigration. While attention often focuses on the visible crackdown against illegal immigration, border troops, raids, and expedited deportations, the administration has also been quietly restricting legal immigration. Refugee admissions have nearly shut down, Biden-era programs allowing legal entry were ended, visas were cut back for certain countries, and tougher vetting procedures were introduced. The list even includes expanded reviews of immigrants’ social media activity.
By redefining how good moral character is measured, the administration signals its determination to not only control who enters the U.S. but also who gets to stay and become a citizen. For many legal immigrants, what once felt like a clear path to citizenship now looks far less certain.
- Amarillo College Regents Push Plan to Raise 2025 Tax Rate - August 19, 2025
- Why JJ Watt Says There Will Be More Beers in His Future - August 19, 2025
- Why Crimea Still Matters in Russia and Ukraine’s Fight - August 19, 2025
