By: Mary Campbell
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially intensified its evaluation of the ‘good moral character’ (GMC) standard for lawful permanent residents applying for U.S. citizenship. Under this revised policy, applicants must now substantiate not only the absence of disqualifying behavior, but also demonstrate active, positive contributions to their communities.
Expanded GMC Assessment: From Checkboxes to Civic Engagement
Previously rooted primarily in the absence of criminal charges or tax issues, the ‘good moral character’ requirement has evolved. Now, applicants are expected to present evidence of civic engagement—volunteering, community service, timely tax filings, and other forms of active societal participation—even if not legally mandated.
While some officials characterize the change as a move toward a fairer, holistic assessment—factoring context and leniency in unique cases—critics warn of resulting subjectivity and potential inconsistencies across adjudications.
Broader Immigration Shift: Surveillance & Enforcement Measures
This reform comes amid a broader wave of enforcement-oriented changes under the current administration:
– USCIS has launched a policy to screen immigration applicants’ social media for antisemitic content, with detected violations possibly leading to denials of visas or green card applications.
– An additional proposal seeks to collect social media handles from those applying for immigration benefits—including green card holders and citizenship applicants—to enhance vetting procedures.
Processing Delays and Backlogs Persist
Even prior to the new GMC criteria, green card and citizenship applicants have reported longer processing times, increased Requests for Evidence (RFE), and a higher likelihood of denials or Notices of Intent to Deny (NOID). This trend underscores the heightened level of scrutiny that these new moral character requirements will further intensify.
Adding to operational friction, certain green card processes, including adjustment of status applications, were put on hold earlier in 2025 to accommodate additional security vetting measures.
What Applicants Should Know
Applicants approaching or in the process of naturalization should take note of these developments:
– Expect deeper examination: USCIS will likely scrutinize past behavior more holistically, beyond simple black-and-white disqualifiers.
– Document community involvement: Keep records of volunteer work, leadership roles, and civic contributions to demonstrate moral character.
– Be mindful of online presence: With intensified social media surveillance, tone and content online may come under review.
– Plan for delays: With higher scrutiny comes the potential for delays, additional evidence requests, or even denials—but proactive preparation may mitigate risk.
Consult With An Experienced Immigration Attorney
Consulting with an experienced immigration lawyer before filing for U.S. citizenship is crucial because the naturalization process involves complex legal requirements that can have lasting consequences if overlooked. A lawyer can review your immigration and criminal history, ensure all eligibility criteria—such as continuous residence, good moral character, and tax compliance—are properly documented, and anticipate potential issues that may trigger delays, denials, or even removal proceedings. Legal counsel also provides guidance on recent policy changes, such as heightened scrutiny of applicants’ moral character and online presence, helping you prepare a strong, well-documented application that minimizes risks and maximizes your chances of approval.
Figeroux & Associates has been practicing immigration law for almost 30 years. Brian Figeroux, Esq. is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). To schedule an appointment, call 855-768-8845 or visit www.askthelawyer.us