Good Moral Character in Naturalization: USCIS Issues New Guidance (August 15, 2025)

Applying for U.S. citizenship through naturalization is one of the most important steps in an immigrant’s journey. Along with meeting residency and language requirements, every applicant must show that they are a person of Good Moral Character (GMC).

On August 15, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released new guidance restoring a holistic “totality of the circumstances” approach to evaluating good moral character. This is an important shift because it allows applicants to present their full life story, not just a checklist of whether they have avoided criminal activity.

What Good Moral Character Really Means

Good Moral Character is not simply about staying out of trouble. Under immigration law, it reflects whether an applicant has lived and continues to live, like a responsible, law-abiding member of the community.

Under the new guidance, USCIS officers must weigh all factors, both positive and negative, before deciding if an applicant has met the GMC requirement.

Positive Factors USCIS Will Look At

USCIS officers are directed to give greater weight to positive contributions, including:

• Active involvement in community or volunteer work
• Caring for children, elderly parents, or other family members
• Steady and lawful employment
• Educational achievements and professional growth
• Long-term lawful residence in the United States
• Filing and paying taxes on time

These actions demonstrate commitment, responsibility, and integration into American society.

Negative Factors and Bars to GMC

Of course, USCIS will also carefully examine conduct that reflects poorly on moral character. This includes:

• Permanent bars such as murder, aggravated felonies, torture, or genocide
• Conditional bars like drug offenses, multiple DUI convictions, false claims to U.S. citizenship, or unlawful voting
• Other misconduct inconsistent with community norms, such as reckless driving, harassment, or abusive behavior even if technically lawful

Applicants can expect officers to review court records, financial history, and community reputation when weighing these factors.

Rehabilitation and Second Chances

Importantly, the new policy recognizes that people can change. Evidence of rehabilitation and reform may support a finding of good moral character even after past mistakes. Examples include:

• Paying overdue taxes or child support
• Successfully completing probation or court programs
• Repaying overpaid government benefits
• Letters from community leaders or employers confirming reform
• Ongoing volunteer or mentoring work

This approach ensures that applicants who have learned from their mistakes can still prove they are ready to assume the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.

Building a Case Under the “Totality of the Circumstances”

For many applicants, the challenge is not the law itself, but how to present their life story effectively. A strong naturalization case should include:

• Documentation of positive contributions – tax filings, employment history, volunteer records, school transcripts, and community involvement
• Evidence of rehabilitation – court completion certificates, proof of repayment, and testimony from credible sources
• A clear narrative – an explanation that acknowledges past errors but highlights growth, responsibility, and ongoing contributions

By presenting the whole picture, applicants can demonstrate that their lives as a whole reflect responsibility, community values, and readiness for citizenship.

Why This Policy Change Matters

The restored standard gives applicants a fairer chance. Instead of being judged solely by past mistakes, applicants can now be evaluated for the totality of who they are today, responsible, contributing members of their communities.

At The Ahluwalia Firm, we help clients prepare the strongest possible case by highlighting their positive contributions, addressing past issues, and framing a compelling story of good moral character.

Call us today to schedule a consultation and begin your path to U.S. citizenship.