The Trump administration is broadening how U.S. immigration officers decide whether an applicant has “good moral character,” a key requirement in the citizenship process. The new policy, set to take effect October 1, 2025, also signals tougher questioning in green card interviews.

A policy memorandum issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on August 15 directs officers to apply a “holistic” review of each applicant. That means applicants will need to show not only a clean criminal record, but also evidence of positive contributions such as community service, caregiving, steady employment, and paying taxes. At the same time, legal but “socially irresponsible” behavior — such as repeated traffic violations or harassment — can be used against them (USCIS).

A shift from past practice

Historically, the “good moral character” requirement focused on whether an applicant had avoided crimes listed in federal immigration law, such as fraud, drug offenses, or aggravated felonies. For decades, a clean criminal record was usually enough to meet the standard.

The new rules mark a sharp shift. Now, applicants will be judged on the “totality of the circumstances,” meaning officers must weigh both positive and negative factors in every case. For example, an applicant who has a series of speeding tickets but also volunteers regularly or cares for an elderly parent may be considered differently from someone who has no violations but also no evidence of community involvement.

Supporters of the change say it raises the bar for citizenship and ensures that new Americans reflect the nation’s values. Critics, however, argue that the vague language opens the door to inconsistent and biased decisions.

“Positive attributes” required

In an interview with The Washington Post, Jane Lopez, a sociology professor at Brigham Young University, said applicants now face the added burden of proving they have “positive attributes,” not just that they have avoided misconduct (Washington Post).

Texas immigration attorney John Dutton told The Houston Chronicle the policy is “incredibly broad and incredibly subjective” and could lead to “so many … inconsistent results.” Ruby Powers, secretary of the Texas chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, added: “The problem about being so ambiguous with discretion is that one person’s good moral character could be one person’s bad moral character” (Houston Chronicle).

Neighborhood checks and ideology reviews

On August 22, USCIS also reinstated “neighborhood checks,” a practice not used since 1991. Officers may now contact neighbors or employers to ask about an applicant’s character. Politico reported the move as a way the administration hopes to “restore integrity” to the system (Politico).

In addition, AP News reported that USCIS officers will screen applicants for “anti-American” ideologies, including extremist or antisemitic views, sometimes by reviewing social media. Civil rights groups warn that this risks punishing free speech, while officials argue it protects national security (AP News).

How it affects green card interviews

The August 15 memo applies directly to naturalization cases. But immigration attorneys say the same philosophy may soon affect green card interviews, also known as adjustment-of-status cases. A legal analysis by Jeelani Law Firm noted that the expansion of moral character standards “reflects a broader shift” in USCIS vetting across visas, green cards, and citizenship alike (Jeelani Law).

That means family-based and employment-based applicants could face broader questioning about their personal conduct, civic engagement, and community ties — in addition to proving eligibility through sponsorship or job offers. Even though the policy does not formally apply to green card cases yet, advocates say applicants should prepare as if it does.

What applicants should ask their attorneys

-Immigration lawyers emphasize that preparation will be key. They recommend that applicants discuss these questions with their attorneys before an interview:

-What new documents should I bring? Letters from employers, faith leaders, or community organizations attesting to character, along with tax filings, school records, or volunteer certificates.

-Do I need to explain old mistakes? Even minor issues, like traffic tickets or dismissed charges, may now be reviewed. Lawyers can help frame them with evidence of rehabilitation.

-Could my social media be a problem? Posts that might be misinterpreted as unpatriotic or extremist should be reviewed with counsel.

-How long will my case take? With neighborhood checks and expanded reviews, cases could take longer to process.

-How can I highlight my contributions? Applicants should prepare evidence of caregiving, volunteer work, long-term steady employment, or civic involvement.

Concerns about fairness

Critics of the policy warn that it may hurt immigrants with fewer resources. Applicants from low-income backgrounds may struggle to provide proof of civic contributions like volunteering, since their time is often spent working multiple jobs or caring for family.

Others fear the rules will allow for discrimination. “When you give this much discretion to officers without clear standards, you invite bias into the process,” Powers told (Houston Chronicle).

Civil rights groups have also raised concerns about ideological screening, arguing it could disproportionately target activists, immigrants from Muslim-majority countries, or people critical of U.S. foreign policy.

Supporters say it strengthens citizenship

USCIS officials, however, have defended the new approach. In public statements, the agency has described U.S. citizenship as “the gold standard of citizenship” and stressed that it should be reserved for “the world’s best of the best.” By reinstating neighborhood checks and requiring evidence of positive contributions, the administration argues it is safeguarding the integrity of the immigration system.

A new landscape for immigrants

What is clear is that beginning on October 1, applicants for U.S. citizenship — and potentially green cards in the future — will face a much higher standard of proof. They will be judged not just on whether they followed the law, but also on whether they can demonstrate they are active, contributing members of their communities.

For many immigrants, that means rethinking how they prepare for interviews and consulting with attorneys well in advance. Whether these changes lead to a stronger system or to more obstacles for families seeking stability in the U.S. remains a question that communities like Danbury will be watching closely.