Looking to secure US citizenship? Students and professionals must prove more than just ‘good moral character’

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has rolled out a significant policy shift that redefines how it evaluates ‘good moral character’ (GMC) in applicants for naturalization.

For the thousands of students, researchers, and professionals eyeing the American dream, the message is clear: Citizenship is no longer just about avoiding disqualifying mistakes, but also about actively proving one’s contributions and responsibility within society.

Beyond a checklist of offenses

Until now, GMC assessments often operated like a rigid checklist — certain offenses meant automatic rejection, while absence of such violations often sufficed.

The new memorandum, however, restores what the agency calls a “rigorous, holistic and comprehensive” standard. USCIS officers will now weigh the totality of circumstances when reviewing applications. This means that while serious crimes such as murder, aggravated felonies, or torture remain permanent bars, in other cases evidence of rehabilitation, repayment of taxes, or responsible community participation can offset past lapses.

For international students or working professionals who may have had minor infractions or financial disputes, this offers both hope and heightened scrutiny. For instance, an unresolved tax dispute could hurt an application, but repaying dues or demonstrating financial stability over time could redeem an applicant in the eyes of officials.

What counts as ‘positive contributions’

The policy outlines a broad set of attributes that will now carry significant weight:

For students, excelling in academics, research contributions, or even sustained involvement in campus and local initiatives could tip the scale.

For professionals, steady careers and active participation in community networks may serve as evidence of integration and responsibility.

Rising numbers, shifting standards

The timing of this policy is notable. In fiscal year 2024, 818,000 foreign nationals became American citizens. Mexicans led the list with 107,000 naturalizations (13% of the total), followed by Indians with a little over 49,000 (6%). This continues a trend where Indians represent the second largest contingent to acquire US citizenship.But with numbers rising, officials are signaling that the standards must evolve. As the policy memorandum puts it: “GMC findings must go beyond the absence of disqualifying acts—it must reflect a genuine positive assessment of who the applicant is and how they have lived in their community.”

Concerns of discretion and subjectivity

Not everyone sees this as an unqualified positive. Immigration attorneys caution that moving away from a rule-based system could lead to inconsistent outcomes.

An applicant’s fate may hinge more heavily on the individual discretion of the USCIS officer, potentially resulting in uneven application of standards.A Chicago-based Indian couple considering citizenship told Times of India, “Years ago, when we initially moved to the US, both of us faced tax disputes owing to interpretation of the India-US tax treaty. This could be a blot on our record.” Their story reflects the anxieties many students and professionals share, where even past financial stressors — such as loan defaults during the pandemic — could resurface during scrutiny.

A citizenship that demands more

Ultimately, the policy signals that US citizenship is not a transactional benefit but a transformative commitment. For students, this means aligning academic journeys with community involvement. For professionals, it underscores that a career trajectory must be complemented by civic responsibility.Joseph Edlow, recently confirmed as USCIS director, hinted at a broader tightening when he told the New York Times that the current citizenship test is “too easy.”

In his view, memorization is not enough; genuine understanding of civic values is necessary. That sentiment now echoes in the GMC evaluation — citizenship demands not just clean records, but active, positive integration.As the new rules take hold, one thing is evident: those aspiring to secure US citizenship, whether students completing degrees or professionals advancing careers — must be prepared to demonstrate not just who they are on paper, but how they have lived, contributed, and reformed along the way.(with inputs from TNN) TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.