USCIS Expands Guidance on “Unlawful Acts” Bar to Establishing Good Moral Character for Naturalization

USCIS issued a policy alert expanding its policy guidance regarding unlawful acts that reflect adversely on moral character and may prevent an applicant from meeting the good moral character (GMC) requirement for naturalization.

Policy highlights include:

• Expands existing guidance on the “unlawful acts” bar to establishing GMC for naturalization, including adding additional examples of unlawful acts.
• Emphasizes that USCIS officers determine whether an “unlawful act” is a conditional bar on a case-by-case basis and provides guidance on that case-by-case analysis.

The policy is effective December 13, 2019; comments are due December 27, 2019.

Related Resources

• USCIS Expands Guidance Related to Naturalization Requirement of Good Moral Character - December 13, 2019
• USCIS Issues Policy Guidance Implementing AG’s Decisions on Post-Sentencing Changes and Impact of DUI Convictions on Good Moral Character Determinations
• USCIS Issues Policy Alert on Controlled Substance-Related Activity and Good Moral Character Determinations
• Tracking USCIS Policy Manual Changes