Florida attorney Willy Allen provided clarity on Monday regarding what the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) considers as good moral character for those aspiring to become American citizens. Allen emphasized that while the judgment of the officer conducting the interview plays a significant role, certain factors like traffic fines and debts, including tax and child support arrears, are crucial when determining an applicant's "good moral character."
Last Friday, the federal agency overseeing the nation's immigration system instructed its officers to consider additional factors when granting U.S. citizenship to applicants, signifying a tightening of the requirements for establishing good moral character.
Key Factors Affecting Good Moral Character
"Firstly, if you're a man and have lived in the United States before turning 28, you must register for the Selective Service, which doesn't currently exist, but could in an emergency. The law mandates visiting your local post office to register for this service. If you're under 28, make sure to register, as this could become an issue during your citizenship application," Allen advised.
Allen also warned, "If you owe money to the IRS, remember, the IRS, the taxes are untouchable. It's the only letter I'm afraid of. Owing the IRS is a sign of poor moral character."
Furthermore, he noted, "If you owe child support, whether your children are in Cuba, France, or Belgium, it's another indication of poor moral character. Owing money to an ex-spouse also reflects negatively on your moral character."
The Impact of Traffic Violations and Arrests
Allen recounted an example of a man who faced delays in becoming a citizen due to accumulating traffic fines. "He was a truck driver and seemed to collect traffic fines from various counties in Florida, as well as a few other states. The officer determined that the number of traffic violations he had over five years showed he did not comply with U.S. traffic laws, indicating poor moral character."
"Of course, any arrest, even if dismissed, reflects poorly on moral character. For instance, shoplifting is a minor offense that isn't deportable, and most people who commit it once or twice can enter a program pledging not to steal again. Still, it can be enough to demonstrate poor moral character and deny citizenship," the attorney emphasized.
Additional Considerations for Citizenship
Willy Allen pointed out, "You need at least five years of separation from such offenses to be eligible for citizenship, and now, they could make it stricter. Being a former member of the Communist Party requires a 10-year separation before becoming a U.S. citizen," he remarked.
As for the citizenship test, Allen believes it is not overly complex, requiring only basic English for a conversation. However, he anticipates the test becoming more challenging, with 28 additional questions being introduced. "The test is not mysterious. You have the questions and answers in advance. If you prepare well, you will pass," he stated.
"I tell my clients, there are 100 questions currently. You'll be asked ten of those, one requiring you to read and write in English. If you diligently practice writing ten questions and answers each day for ten days, then repeat after a couple of days, your mind will absorb it. If you're from Arriete, you might only need to do this once or twice, but if you're from the rest of Cuba, it might take 30 or 40 times. The key is consistency and preparation," Allen advised.
He concluded, "Immigration is not rocket science, it's not preparing rockets for the moon, it's not engineering. It's about knowing the rules and applying them to each case. For citizenship, you'll be asked questions in English and you must respond in English."
Understanding USCIS's Good Moral Character Criteria
What are the consequences of not registering for Selective Service?
Failure to register for Selective Service if you're a male under 28 could become an issue during your citizenship application, as it is considered a requirement under U.S. law.
How do traffic violations affect citizenship applications?
Accumulating multiple traffic violations can be seen as non-compliance with U.S. laws, which may indicate poor moral character and affect the approval of your citizenship application.
Why does owing money to the IRS reflect poor moral character?
Owing money to the IRS is considered a sign of financial irresponsibility, which the USCIS may interpret as poor moral character in the context of a citizenship application.