Tagged #good-moral-character
Every article we've published on this topic, sorted by the agency's own announcement date.
Marriage to a U.S. citizen no longer guarantees smooth path to citizenship
Increased USCIS scrutiny of marriage-based immigration petitions now requires 'good moral character' evidence and rigorous vetting. Spouses face deportation risk even with pending petitions.
USCIS Updates Good Moral Character Standards and Ideological Vetting for Naturalization
USCIS issued a policy memo in August 2025 reshaping how officers evaluate good moral character for naturalization applicants, emphasizing positive community contributions and adding new ideological screening.
USCIS Reinstates Neighborhood Investigations for Naturalization Applicants
USCIS policy memo ending the decades-old waiver of neighborhood checks for citizenship applicants. Officers will now investigate neighbors and employment history, requiring applicants to submit testimonial letters proactively.
USCIS Shifts to Holistic Good Moral Character Review in Naturalization Cases
New USCIS policy memorandum PM-602-0188 requires officers to evaluate naturalization applicants' positive contributions and full history, not just absence of disqualifications.
N-400 Good Moral Character: The INA §101(f) Bars and the Statutory-Period Look-Back
Good moral character is not a vibe — it is a statutory test with permanent bars, conditional bars, and a five-year look-back. Here is what USCIS actually reviews on the N-400.