On Monday, renowned immigration attorney Willy Allen advised during his weekly segment on CiberCuba that individuals should refrain from applying for U.S. citizenship if they have outstanding child support obligations, even if the delay in payments is due to external factors beyond their control. Allen emphasized that applying for citizenship with such debts could lead to complications, as failing to meet child support obligations is often perceived as an indication of poor moral character.
Last Friday, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a memorandum outlining stricter guidelines for acquiring citizenship. These new regulations require officers to be particularly vigilant regarding the "good moral character" criterion. According to Allen, unpaid traffic fines and debts, including those related to taxes and child support, can hinder an applicant's ability to meet this requirement.
Understanding the Consequences of Unresolved Debts
Allen pointed out that if an individual with outstanding child support has already applied for citizenship, they should approach their interview prepared with valid explanations, hoping for a lenient officer. Despite these efforts, Allen cautions that applicants are likely to face difficulties. "In my opinion, the best course of action is not to apply for citizenship until your child support is fully up to date," he advised.
He further elaborated that child support is one of the two primary reasons men are often denied American citizenship promptly upon application. The other reason involves military service registration. If someone has resided in the United States before turning 28, they are required to register for selective service, which does not currently exist but could be reinstated in an emergency. The law mandates that individuals register at their local post office.
Additional Factors Impacting Citizenship Eligibility
Besides child support and military registration issues, other factors such as owing back taxes to the IRS or accumulating numerous traffic violations can also affect an officer's assessment of an applicant's moral character. Such issues may lead the officer to conclude that the applicant does not respect U.S. traffic laws, further jeopardizing their citizenship application.
FAQs on Citizenship Application and Moral Character
Why is child support considered in the citizenship application process?
Child support is considered because failing to meet these obligations is viewed as a reflection of poor moral character, which is a critical criterion in the citizenship application process.
What other factors can impact the moral character assessment?
Other factors include unpaid taxes, numerous traffic violations, and failure to register for selective service, all of which can negatively impact the moral character assessment.
How can applicants prepare if they have outstanding child support?
Applicants should resolve any outstanding child support obligations before applying. If they've already applied, they should come prepared with valid explanations and hope for a sympathetic officer.