USCIS Amends Good Moral Character Standard for Naturalization Applicants 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently increased the scrutiny officers would apply in determining whether naturalization applicants can establish their necessary “good moral character” (GMC). The new Policy Memorandum marks a notable shift in how applicants for U.S. citizenship are evaluated — not just for past misconduct, but also for their positive contributions and overall character. While certain acts will make the applicant ineligible to establish GMC, the new standard requires the applicant to proactively demonstrate certain positive set forth in the memo.