What You Need to Know if You’re Applying for U.S. Citizenship

If you are preparing to apply for naturalization (U.S. citizenship), you may have heard that USCIS recently announced big changes to how it decides whether applicants meet the “Good Moral Character” (GMC) requirement. These changes make the process more detailed, and in some cases, more demanding.

Our law office is here to help you understand what these changes mean, how they may affect your case, and what you can do now to strengthen your application.

What Is “Good Moral Character” in Naturalization?

To become a U.S. citizen, you must show that you have been a person of good moral character during the required period (usually the last 5 years, or 3 years if applying through marriage to a U.S. citizen).

In the past, USCIS mostly looked at whether you had a criminal record or certain legal problems. Now, the agency has returned to a “holistic review” approach—meaning they look at the whole picture of your life, not just whether you have avoided crimes.

New USCIS Policy on Good Moral Character

In August 2025, USCIS issued a memo requiring officers to look at both positive contributions and negative conduct when deciding naturalization applications.

Positive Factors USCIS Can Consider:

• Community service and volunteer work
• Family caregiving responsibilities
• Educational achievements
• Consistent employment and work history
• Compliance with taxes and financial obligations
• Length of lawful residence in the U.S.

Negative Factors That Could Hurt Your Case:

• Criminal history (DUIs, drug offenses, fraud, etc.)
• Failure to pay child support or taxes
• Patterns of behavior like repeated traffic violations, harassment, or disorderly conduct
• Unlawful voting or false claims to U.S. citizenship.

Rehabilitation Matters Too

If you have had problems in the past, USCIS will now also consider whether you have taken steps to change—such as paying overdue obligations, completing probation, or showing positive involvement in your community.

• Having paid owed taxes or debts
• Comply with the conditions of probation
• Get involved in positive activities within their community.

Neighborhood Investigations Are Back

USCIS also issued a new policy memo in August 2025 bringing back “neighborhood investigations.”

This means USCIS officers may now:

• Speak to your neighbors, employers, or coworkers about your character
• Conduct personal investigations in your community
• Look beyond your paperwork to see how others view you.

In many cases, USCIS will expect applicants to provide letters of recommendation from people in their community (neighbors, employers, teachers, religious leaders, etc.) to prove they are of good moral character.

If you do not provide these letters, USCIS may decide to conduct an in-person investigation.

What This Means for You?

If you are planning to apply for U.S. citizenship, here are some important steps you can take now:

• Collect positive evidence – Gather proof of community involvement, volunteer work, taxes paid, and steady employment.
• Ask for recommendation letters – From neighbors, employers, and community members who know you well.
• Address past issues – If you had legal or financial problems, show evidence of how you corrected them.
• Get legal guidance – These changes give USCIS officers more discretion, which means cases can become more unpredictable. Having an attorney prepare your case can make a big difference.

Why Work With an Immigration Attorney?

These new policies give USCIS officers greater power to deny cases based on their judgment of your moral character. This can create uncertainty and even unfair results.

• An experienced immigration attorney can:
• Review your case for any potential red flags
• Help you collect strong supporting documents and letters
• Present your positive contributions clearly to USCIS
• Guide you through an interview or investigation if needed.

The good moral character requirement is now much more than just avoiding criminal convictions. USCIS will look at your entire life, including how you are viewed in your community.

Preparing a strong application—backed by evidence and community support—is more important than ever.

If you are thinking about applying for U.S. citizenship, don’t wait until the last minute. Our office can help you prepare a solid case and give you peace of mind as you move forward.