USCIS Reinstates 'Good Moral Character' Requirement for U.S. Citizenship Applicants

What's happening

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reinstated a policy requiring prospective citizens to demonstrate "Good Moral Character" as part of the naturalization process. This directive, detailed in a recent official memo, marks a return to a standard that had been relaxed since the early 1990s. The agency emphasizes that naturalization is a privilege granted by the American people, not merely a procedural formality, and this policy aims to ensure applicants meet a comprehensive standard before becoming citizens.

Historically, the concept of "Good Moral Character" has been a cornerstone of U.S. immigration law, serving as a measure of an applicant’s suitability for citizenship. The policy was relaxed in the early 1990s to streamline the naturalization process, but the USCIS now argues that reinstating this requirement is necessary to uphold the integrity of citizenship. The recent memo draws parallels to past congressional debates, such as the 1963 discussions over granting honorary citizenship to Winston Churchill, where lawmakers underscored the solemnity and significance of American citizenship.

The main actors in this policy shift include the USCIS, immigration attorneys, advocacy groups, and prospective immigrants. USCIS officials and supporters argue that the renewed focus on moral character will help ensure that new citizens align with American values and responsibilities. They stress that the evaluation will be holistic, considering factors such as community involvement, employment history, financial responsibility, and family obligations. This approach aims to assess an applicant’s overall integration and commitment to the United States.

However, critics of the reinstated requirement express concerns that it could complicate the naturalization process and introduce subjective or political biases. Some argue that the standard may disproportionately affect certain immigrant groups, potentially leading to unequal treatment. Immigration advocates worry that the policy could create additional hurdles for applicants, slowing down the process and increasing uncertainty for those seeking citizenship. They also caution that vague criteria could lead to inconsistent application across cases.

What's at stake

The stakes of this policy change are significant for millions of immigrants pursuing U.S. citizenship. Citizenship confers important rights and responsibilities, including voting, eligibility for certain jobs, and access to federal benefits. By reinstating the "Good Moral Character" requirement, the USCIS is signaling a stricter vetting process that could affect who is ultimately granted citizenship. This could impact immigrant communities, legal advocates, and the broader social fabric by shaping the composition of future American citizens.

The USCIS memo stresses that the evaluation will be conducted on a case-by-case basis to avoid unfair burdens. The agency highlights that this is a restoration of an important tradition rather than a new obstacle. Supporters point to historical examples of careful scrutiny in citizenship decisions, including honorary citizenship cases like those of Raoul Wallenberg and Mother Teresa, to illustrate the importance of character assessments. The agency aims to apply similar standards broadly to maintain the value and meaning of U.S. citizenship.

Looking ahead, the implementation of this policy will require clear guidelines and adequate resources to ensure fairness and consistency. USCIS officials have called on Congress for legislative support and funding to carry out the more detailed evaluations effectively. Observers will be watching how this change affects naturalization rates and whether it leads to legal challenges or calls for further reform. The policy’s impact will unfold over the coming months and years as the agency applies the standard to new citizenship applicants.

What happens next will depend on how USCIS balances thorough vetting with efficient processing. The agency must ensure that the "Good Moral Character" requirement does not become a barrier that unfairly delays or denies citizenship to qualified applicants. Stakeholders will also monitor whether the policy influences broader immigration debates and legislative actions. As the naturalization process evolves, this reinstated standard will be a key factor shaping the future of immigration policy and the integration of immigrants into American society.

Why it matters

The policy aims to ensure citizenship applicants align with American values and responsibilities. It restores a historical standard that emphasizes the seriousness of naturalization. Critics worry it could complicate the process and introduce political or subjective biases.

The requirement may disproportionately affect certain immigrant communities. The policy reflects broader debates about immigration and the integrity of citizenship. It highlights the importance of evaluating applicants’ overall character and integration.

The change could influence future immigration legislation and enforcement practices.

Key facts & context

USCIS issued a memo reinstating the 'Good Moral Character' requirement for naturalization in 2025. The standard was relaxed in the early 1990s before being restored by this recent policy change. The memo emphasizes naturalization as a privilege granted by the American people, not a procedural right.

Historical debates, such as the 1963 congressional discussion on Winston Churchill’s honorary citizenship, underscore the significance of citizenship standards. The evaluation includes consideration of community involvement, employment, financial responsibility, and family obligations. Honorary citizenship has been granted sparingly, including to figures like Raoul Wallenberg and Mother Teresa, with careful character review.

USCIS plans to assess applicants on a case-by-case basis to avoid unfair burdens. Supporters call for congressional backing and funding to implement the policy effectively. Critics argue the policy could slow down naturalization and disproportionately impact certain groups.

The policy change is part of a broader shift in immigration enforcement and naturalization scrutiny. The USCIS memo is publicly available and outlines the rationale and approach for reinstating the requirement. The policy’s real-world impact will become clearer as it is applied to citizenship applicants in the coming years.

Timeline & key developments

2025-09-18: USCIS Reinstates 'Good Moral Character' Requirement for Citizenship. Additional reporting on this topic is available in our broader archive and will continue to shape this timeline as new developments emerge.

Primary sources

• uscis.gov PDF
• congress.gov PDF
• senate.gov document
• jfk.blogs.archives.gov document

Further reading & references

• (Additional background links will appear here as we cover this topic.)