The Trump administration has expanded the definition of “good moral character” for US citizenship, impacting green card holders seeking naturalisation and traditionally, this standard excluded individuals with serious criminal records, including murder, felonies, or genocide. Minor offenses, like drunk driving, could also disqualify applicants. Now, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires a holistic evaluation of applicants’ character, including community involvement, employment history, tax compliance, family ties, and positive contributions to society while officials are also asked to consider applicants’ behavior on social media and screen for “anti-American” and antisemitic ideologies, even if their acts are technically legal.
The Policy Shift
USCIS issued a memo instructing officers to assess the “good moral character” of applicants more comprehensively. The agency emphasized evaluating positive attributes, not just the absence of misconduct. Applicants must now demonstrate character “commensurate with the standards of average citizens” in their community. Officers can deny citizenship for acts contrary to normal societal behavior, even if lawful. USCIS chief spokesperson Matthew Tragesser stressed that immigration benefits remain a privilege, not a right, and citizenship should go to those who embrace American culture, history, and values.
Experts Raise Concerns
Experts view this as a move to further restrict immigration and since 2015, around 600,000 to 1 million immigrants have become US citizens annually, contributing to a total of 25 million naturalized citizens. Critics argue the new guidelines allow for subjective judgments that could unfairly deny citizenship. Doug Rand, former USCIS official, warned the definition of moral character now includes “extremely harmless behavior,” potentially increasing denial grounds. Law professor Gabriel Chin described the guidance as “loose and discretionary,” prone to arbitrary enforcement while Jane Lilly Lopez noted that the policy opens doors for prejudice and implicit bias, making it harder for noncitizens to achieve legal belonging in the US.
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Political Implications
The policy aligns with Trump’s longstanding anti-immigration stance, including efforts to end birthright citizenship. Some administration figures have echoed far-right theories about demographic replacement. Trump’s rhetoric has repeatedly demonized immigrants, especially from South America. His administration has also threatened denaturalization of citizens and cracked down on college students protesting Israel’s actions in Gaza and cases like Mahmoud Khalil’s deportation and Rümeysa Öztürk’s detainment highlight the administration’s strict enforcement approach.
Irony and Controversy
The policy’s moral authority is widely questioned. Trump himself has felony convictions, civil liabilities for sexual abuse, and multiple credible accusations of harassment. Critics point out the irony of a government led by a convicted president setting moral standards for citizenship applicants. At the same time, international events like the Gaza conflict have added more controversy, with experts warning of a looming starvation crisis.
Impact on Green Card Holders
Applicants for US citizenship must now navigate stricter and more subjective standards of morality and social media activity, political opinions, and perceived loyalty to America are under scrutiny. The Trump administration’s expanded interpretation of good moral character marks a historic shift in immigration and naturalization policy, reshaping who can legally belong in the United States
