USCIS adopts new holistic approach to citizen application review

Officials at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must consider “positive contribution” migrant The agency memo says applying to be part of U.S. citizenship.

New policies direct USCIS officials to explain the applicant’s positive attributes, not just a lack of misconduct.

“Being a naturalized American citizen means becoming an active and responsible member of society, not just the right to live and work in the United States,” the August 15 memorandum said. “Among other eligibility factors, a foreigner applying for naturalization must demonstrate that he or she has been and continues to be an individual with good moral characteristics (GMC).

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“Evaluation of the GMC involves not only a rough mechanical review, but a focus is on the lack of wrongdoing,” the memorandum continued. “It requires a positive contribution to foreigners’ behavior, a holistic assessment of compliance with social norms, and a positive performance of good moral traits.”

Applicants with serious conviction Violent crime It has long been banned from obtaining U.S. citizenship. Friday’s memorandum expanded the list of crimes to include two or more convictions for driving under the influence.

Officials are also encouraged to consider behaviors that may not be illegal but are considered inconsistent with citizen responsibilities within the community, including “restrained or habitual traffic violations, harassment or aggressive solicitation.”

“U.S. citizenship is the gold standard of citizenship and can only be provided in the best way in the world,” USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser told Fox News Digital. “USCIS is adding a new element to the naturalization process that ensures that the latest U.S. citizens not only contain the culture, history, and language of the United States, but also exhibit good moral traits.”

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At a formal ceremony in Manhattan on June 4, candidates for U.S. citizenship sat before obtaining a certificate of naturalization. (Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images))

“This memorandum ensures positive contributions to American society by U.S. Citizenship and Services officials, including community participation, achievements and financial responsibility, rather than lack of misconduct,” he added. “USCIS will continue to restore integrity in the national immigration system, especially in terms of prestigious citizenship privileges.”

The memorandum also encourages officials to look at other factors such as whether the applicant is involved in their community, including family care or parenting, connections with the United States, connections with the United States, Educational levelstable and legal employment history, career achievements and tax payments.

“The discovery of GMC must go beyond ineligible behavior, and it must reflect a real positive assessment of who the aliens are and their lives in the community,” the memo said.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said officials must consider the applicant’s positive contribution as part of the holistic approach. (Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images)

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this White House Fox News Digital’s questions regarding USCIS policy were referred to the agency.

Immigrants seeking to obtain U.S. citizenship must have lived in the country for several years and passed the English language for citizenship exams, among other requirements.