USCIS Updates Good Moral Character Standard for Naturalization

Marshall Cohen
Aug 27
3 min read

Updated: Sep 16

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⚡ Express Read

Quick Summary: Starting August 15, 2025, USCIS officers will now consider positive factors, not only the absence of negative behavior, when evaluating good moral character for naturalization applicants. A few examples of favorable factors include paying taxes, caring for family, steady work, community involvement, and military service.

Key Points:

The good moral character policy change took effect August 15, 2025.
Positive factors like family and work responsibilities can strengthen your case.
Good moral character is determined at USCIS officer’s discretion.

Thinking about applying for naturalization? Call our Atlanta immigration attorneys today at (470) 428-3200 to schedule a consultation.

At Antonini & Cohen, we know how. We fight harder.

📖 Standard Read

On August 15, 2025, USCIS issued new guidance on how officers evaluate the good moral character requirement for naturalization applicants. Marshall Cohen, co-founder of Antonini & Cohen, explains how this update could affect you.

At Antonini & Cohen, we understand how policy updates can impact your path to citizenship. Call us today at (470) 428-3200 to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced Atlanta immigration attorneys. We will guide you through the process and help you avoid mistakes that could cause delays or denials.

At Antonini & Cohen, we know how. We fight harder.

What Changed

Under the new August 15, 2025, policy, naturalization applicants now must submit evidence of positive attributes to prove good moral character. USCIS officers will now look at both positive factors and the absence of negative behavior when making decisions.

There is no clear standard for how much positive evidence is required; the decision will remain at the discretion of the interviewing USCIS officer.

Positive Attributes for Good Moral Character

USCIS may consider the following criteria when evaluating an applicant:

Paid taxes and has good credit
Family ties and responsibilities
Consistent payment of child support
Community engagement
Military service
Home and/or business ownership
High education and professional skills
Steady employment history
Lack of criminal record or proof of rehabilitation

A&C Can Guide You Through the Uncertainty

US citizenship is too important to risk. At Antonini & Cohen, we’ll help you understand how USCIS may view your history, prepare supporting documents, and immediately address potential issues.

Call us today at (470) 428-3200 to schedule a consultation with our experienced Atlanta immigration attorneys.

At Antonini & Cohen, we know how. We fight harder.

Transcript

Hi, I'm Marshall Cohen, founding member of Antonini & Cohen Immigration Law Group. Today I'd like to speak with you about the August 15th USCIS memorandum regarding good moral character in naturalization cases.

Up to this point, the establishment of good moral character was really made by a lack of negative evidence. For instance, if you lacked a criminal record but you paid your taxes, you basically could establish good moral character for naturalization purposes.

But now you have to file affirmative evidence. We don't know exactly what immigration considers evidence of good moral character. They gave some general guidelines such as showing evidence that you've paid taxes, lack of a criminal record, if you're divorced, child support, things like that, compliance with court orders, but we don't know exactly. It will be up to the discretion of the officer conducting the interview. But we do know that now you have to file affirmative evidence of good moral character.

If you'd like to file for naturalization, please call us so you can set up a consultation with one of our attorneys. At Antonini & Cohen, we know how. We fight harder.

Resources

Marshall Cohen, a founding partner of Antonini & Cohen, has devoted his career to helping immigrants achieve their dreams. For more than 30 years, he has practiced immigration law exclusively, guiding thousands of families, professionals, and individuals through every step of the process — from visas and green cards to naturalization, deportation defense, and appeals.