Posted on 08/24/2025 12:34:25 PM PDT by Twotone
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers, expanding how an applicant’s “good moral character” is evaluated in the naturalization process.
The policy, outlined in an August 15 memo, instructs officers to consider applicants’ positive contributions to society in a more “holistic” approach, rather than focusing solely on disqualifying factors.
"Becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen means being an active and responsible member of society instead of just having a right to live and work in the United States," the memo stated. "Among other eligibility factors, aliens applying for naturalization must demonstrate that he or she has been and continues to be an individual of good moral character (GMC)."
"Evaluating GMC involves more than a cursory mechanical review focused on the absence of wrongdoing," it continued. "It entails a holistic assessment of an alien’s behavior, adherence to societal norms, and positive contributions that affirmatively demonstrate good moral character."
Officers are directed to consider not only whether applicants have avoided disqualifying conduct, but also whether they are contributing members of society. This may include caregiving, raising a family, maintaining employment, paying taxes, educational attainment, career achievements, and community involvement. Additionally, officers are encouraged to weigh behaviors that may not be criminal but could undermine communal responsibility, such as "reckless or habitual traffic infractions, or harassment or aggressive solicitation."
"GMC findings must go beyond the absence of disqualifying acts, it must reflect a genuine positive assessment of who the alien is and how they have lived in their community," the memo said.
USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser said in a statement to Fox News that US citizenship is the “gold standard” and should only be offered to “the world’s best of the best.”
"USCIS is adding a new element to the naturalization process that ensures America’s newest citizens not only embrace America’s culture, history, and language but who also demonstrate good moral character,” Tragesser said.
"This memo ensures that USCIS officers are accounting for an alien’s positive contributions to American society —including community involvement, achievements and financial responsibility rather than the absence of their misconduct," he added. "USCIS will continue to restore integrity in the nation’s immigration system — especially when it comes to the prestigious privilege of citizenship."
What would be an example of good moral character?
There should be standards of acceptable behavior. One is here to work, not in pursuit of leisure.
From the article...”This may include caregiving, raising a family, maintaining employment, paying taxes, educational attainment, career achievements, and community involvement.”
You would think most of this would be required (aside from family & caregiving), in any case. No leaning on social services. I would exclude being religiously observant, if it was to a Mosque. And that should be a dis-qualifier.
How about speaks and writes English?
Spawning offspring, apparently.
Jesus.
Well, that leaves Democrats out...
At least they understand it.
My Greek grandmother spoke very spoken English, but she could understand the soap operas, blaring from a TV in the other room while she was cooking. She gave birth to four girls, all went on to finish college, marry and have children that did the same thing.
We’re in a civil war folks. People like Massie don’t understand this. This is for the survival of our country
IT’s now clear why we are in so much debt. WE’ve been betrayed by the people, we voted for, along with people like COmey, Brennan, Clapper, Bolton and others, we didn’t vote for.
Nothing about giving up their native citizenship and loyalty to their mother country?
That should be first, with a stipulation that US Citizenship will be stripped and they will be deported if they violate it.
Being a person of “good moral character” was required since the nationalization act of 1790, wonder why they got rid of it in the first place
Be careful what you wish for!
AND CAN SPEAK ENGLISH !!!
Didn’t Ellis Island require immigrants to prove financial independence, or to have a sponsor who would be financially responsible for them?
Not strolling around wearing $200 dollar sneakers, having no job and bitching about being ‘’oppressed’’.
Hmmm, those tests would eliminate virtually the entire Democrat congress-critter population.
“That’s Racist” coming soon to the media narrative.
Require them to have $5,000. Each.
It seems to me that requirement is the necessary requirement of a good citizen.
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