Donald Trump’s administration has unveiled a new directive that will tighten scrutiny of legal immigrants applying for American citizenship. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which administers the country’s legal immigration system, issued new guidance on Friday.

The USCIS ordered officers to consider additional factors while reviewing applicants’ “good moral character,” a long-standing requirement for naturalisation.

Green card holders are eligible to apply for citizenship after three or five years, depending on their case. Alongside English and civics tests, they must demonstrate “good moral character,” usually assessed by checking whether the applicant has committed serious crimes or engaged in disqualifying conduct like drug offences or habitual drunkenness.

The new policy requires officers to conduct a “holistic assessment” that goes beyond checking criminal records. According to the memo, the determination “must involve more than a cursory mechanical review focused on the absence of wrongdoing” and instead consider broader societal expectations and positive contributions.

OFFICERS TOLD TO CONSIDER POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES

The directive encourages officers to give “greater emphasis” to positive attributes on community service, caregiving responsibilities, educational attainment, stable employment, payment of taxes and long-term residence in the United States.

It also calls for closer attention to conduct that may not be illegal but could suggest a lack of civic responsibility.

Examples listed by USCIS include “reckless or habitual traffic infractions, or harassment or aggressive solicitation.” In such behaviour, the memo said, could be taken as “acts that are contrary to the average behaviour of citizens in the jurisdiction where aliens reside.”

The agency also advised that rehabilitation be considered in cases where wrongdoing has occurred, citing compliance with probation, paying overdue taxes or child support, and providing letters of support from community members as potential mitigating factors.

ADMINISTRATION SAYS POLICY WILL ‘RESTORE INTEGRITY’

In defending the new standard, USCIS chief spokesman Matthew Tragesser called it as part of President Donald Trump’s broader push to strengthen the immigration system.

“US citizenship is the gold standard of citizenship — it should only be offered to the world’s best of the best,” Tragesser said in a statement to CBS News.

“Today, USCIS is adding a new element to the naturalisation process that ensures America’s newest citizens not only embrace America’s culture, history, and language but who also demonstrate Good Moral Character,” he added.

According to government figures, between 600,000 and 1 million immigrants have become US citizens annually over the past decade. The new criteria could affect how many applicants are approved in the years ahead.

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