Trump Administration Expands “Good Moral Character” Standard for Naturalization Applicants

The Trump administration has updated its policies on how good moral character (GMC) is evaluated during the U.S. citizenship process — and it places far more discretion in the hands of USCIS officers.

A Broader Review of “Character”

Previously, USCIS officers primarily looked for major disqualifying offenses (like aggravated felonies or false claims to U.S. citizenship). Now officers are instructed to evaluate the overall life conduct of the applicant — including behavior that’s lawful but socially questionable.

Positive factors that could help include:

• Long-term community involvement
• Caregiver roles and family responsibilities
• Continuous lawful residence
• Educational or employment history
• Timely payment of taxes or child support

This means applicants should proactively highlight their achievements and contributions when working with Beyond Border or any legal advisor.

Minor Infractions Could Carry More Weight

Under the new rules, USCIS officers may now flag “negative conduct” such as:

• Repeated traffic violations
• Public disturbances or harassment
• Multiple DUIs, old drug charges, or unlawful voting
• Anything viewed as out of step with local “community norms”

Even if these actions aren’t criminal, they could now harm a GMC assessment — unless offset by rehabilitation efforts like volunteering, mentoring, or documented reform.

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Greater Discretion, Rising Uncertainty

While serious crimes still automatically block naturalization, this policy memo signals a shift toward subjective decision-making. For many applicants, that means:

• More invasive background checks
• Requests for additional evidence
• Longer processing times
• Denials for seemingly minor issues

To stay ahead under this tougher review system, applicants are encouraged to build strong moral character files, gather community support letters early, and consult platforms like Beyond Border to prepare a proactive, persuasive case.

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