On August 15, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a major policy shift in how it evaluates Good Moral Character (GMC) for naturalization applicants. Instead of relying only on a checklist of statutory disqualifiers, USCIS officers are now required to take a holistic approach, weighing both an applicant’s negative conduct and their positive contributions to U.S. society.
This move revives the pre-1990 discretionary framework, where applicants were encouraged to show affirmative good character through community service, family responsibilities, and rehabilitation, not just the absence of misconduct.
What’s Changing in Good Moral Character Evaluations
A Totality of Circumstances Approach
GMC determinations will no longer hinge solely on whether someone has or has not committed a listed offense. Officers must now consider the “totality of circumstances,” creating a more individualized review of an applicant’s behavior, values, and long-term contributions.
Positive Contributions Now Carry Greater Weight
Applicants can strengthen their cases by highlighting affirmative evidence, including:
- Ongoing community service and volunteer work
- Caregiving for family members
- Education and professional achievements
- Steady, lawful employment
- Tax compliance and financial responsibility
- Length of time living lawfully in the United States
This allows applicants to present themselves as active, responsible members of their communities.
Disqualifying Conduct Still Matters
While positive contributions carry more weight, serious offenses remain bars to naturalization:
- Permanent bars: Murder, aggravated felonies, genocide, torture.
- Conditional bars: Multiple DUIs, drug offenses, unlawful voting, or false claims to U.S. citizenship.
- Other conduct: Habitual reckless driving, harassment, or behavior inconsistent with community standards may still impact eligibility.
The Role of Rehabilitation
USCIS will now consider rehabilitation as part of GMC. Applicants who can show genuine reform might still qualify for citizenship, despite past mistakes. Examples of rehabilitation can include:
- Paying overdue taxes or child support
- Completing probation or court-ordered requirements
- Letters of support from community members
- Mentoring or outreach efforts to help others avoid similar mistakes
Why This Change Matters
For applicants, this policy shift is an opportunity to be evaluated on more than just past mistakes. It recognizes that good moral character is demonstrated through responsibility, growth, and contribution.
For USCIS, it restores officer discretion to consider the full picture while maintaining strict scrutiny for serious crimes. And for the broader community, it underscores the principle that citizenship should be granted to those who actively demonstrate their readiness to embrace the responsibilities of being an upstanding American citizen.
“Citizenship is not just about avoiding mistakes, it’s about proving integrity, contribution, and responsibility. This policy shift allows applicants to highlight the good they bring to their communities, not just the challenges they’ve faced.”
– Rosanna Berardi, Esq., Managing Partner at Berardi Immigration Law
Public Concerns and Practical Implications
While many welcome the change, some worry that the broader standard could lead to inconsistent outcomes across USCIS offices. The biggest lesson here is that applicants must now be proactive in documenting their positive life patterns, not just avoiding legal disqualifiers.
Practical steps include:
- Collecting evidence of community service and volunteer involvement
- Documenting tax compliance and financial stability
- Providing proof of rehabilitation when applicable
- Seeking legal guidance to ensure a strong presentation
FAQs: Good Moral Character and Naturalization
Do I need to volunteer to prove good moral character?
No, volunteer service is not required. However, it can strengthen your case by showing active contributions to your community.
Can past criminal conduct be overlooked if I’ve changed?
Possibly. Serious offenses like murder or aggravated felonies remain permanent bars. But for less-severe issues, proof of rehabilitation may help.
How should I prepare under this new framework?
Gather evidence of positive contributions like tax returns, proof of employment, school records, and letters of support. An attorney can help ensure your application tells the full story.
Stay Ahead of Your Good Moral Character Evaluations
The Good Moral Character evaluation has always been central to naturalization. With this policy update, USCIS is making clear that citizenship is about more than avoiding disqualifying conduct, it’s about showing that you’ve contributed positively, learned from setbacks, and are ready to embrace the responsibilities of being a U.S. citizen.
If you’re preparing to apply for citizenship, now is the time to strengthen your case.
Contact Berardi Immigration Law today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. With decades of immigration law experience, we’ll help you present the strongest possible application under this new framework.
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