Donald Trump’s second-term administration has turned the moral compass on immigrants who wish to become citizens of the United States. The DOHS is now examining more specific aspects of an applicant’s life rather than just ticking boxes, as has been standard practice for so long, even though having excellent moral character has always been a prerequisite for naturalization.
In a new order released Friday, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) instructed officials to consider if an applicant’s conduct genuinely reflects American values, which go beyond merely avoiding jail time.
Therefore, after receiving a green card, immigrants who want to become citizens will need to submit to a more thorough and confidential evaluation of their behavior, contributions, and even traffic infractions!
The phrase “good moral character” has been used in U.S. immigration law for a long time. Applicants for naturalization previously had to demonstrate that they were not convicted murderers, drug traffickers, or chronic drunks.
Nevertheless, the Trump administration wants officers to begin conducting more thorough investigations.
Instead of merely using a mechanical checklist that searches for significant offenses, the letter advises officers to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of an applicant’s life. Now, the review process must consider community activity, caregiving obligations, lawful work, time in the United States, tax history, and academic accomplishments.
Simply put, you may earn moral points by volunteering at the local food bank, raising your kids, and paying your taxes. However, even legally permitted actions that were once regarded as insignificant—like persistently careless driving, harassment, or aggressive solicitation—can now be used against you due to the heightened scrutiny.
This adjustment gives officers greater discretion. They do, however, have greater latitude to reject applicants for reasons that are unclear to them at the time of application or even after it has been denied.
The USCIS document states that actions that deviate from the norm for residents in the jurisdiction where immigrants live may be considered. It also implies that a bad driving record in California or unpaid child support in Texas, which both reflect on a person’s alleged moral character, may significantly hinder their application for citizenship.
I don’t believe many people are aware that obtaining citizenship requires proving that you have strong moral character and that you are inclined toward the happiness and orderliness of the United States.
It extends beyond criminal activity.jy3PvJgqQ9 https://t.co/ZZmcdv210tpic.twitter.com
AG March 15, 2025 (@AGHamilton29)
Raising the bar for what it means to be an American is the aim. In an interview with ABC News, agency chief spokesperson Matthew Tragesser stated that the goal of the policy is to restore the integrity of the naturalization process. He believes that only the best of the best in the world should be granted U.S. citizenship since it is the highest kind of citizenship.
This framing enables Donald Trump’s broader political agenda, which holds that citizenship is a privilege rather than a right and should be reserved for those who actively promote American principles rather than merely following the law.
The administration’s continued efforts to limit potential routes to citizenship are also consistent with the new policy, which imposes higher standards and grants immigration officials more latitude.
However, some see a more cynical aspect at play. Doug Rand, a USCIS official from Joe Biden’s time, claims the new restriction was designed to deter future applicants. Rand argues that by expanding the concept of low moral character to encompass small, non-criminal acts, the government is essentially deterring lawful immigrants from asking for citizenship.
They are attempting to expand the basis for denial of U.S. citizenship by expanding the concept of good moral character to include incredibly innocuous activity, Rand told ABC News.
The most empathetic immigrants are those who were brought here as children, but they are also the lowest quality since they had no agency in coming here and hence do not benefit from the good selection effect of their parents’ immigration.Twitter: https://t.co/fQDgSGKSAppic #sMiIB4vvuP
The @AnechoicMedia account AnechoicMedia16 June 2025
According to the Irish Star, between 600,000 and 1 million immigrants obtain U.S. citizenship annually.
The lengthy procedure already includes rigorous background checks, civics and English proficiency tests, and years of legal residency. When establishing excellent moral character, adhering to ever-evolving standards is becoming more important than avoiding crimes.
