Applying for U.S. Citizenship in New Jersey? Here’s How The New USCIS Good Moral Character Memo Affects You

On August 15, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a significant new policy memorandum that reshapes how immigration officers evaluate good moral character (GMC) for naturalization applicants. The policy went into effect August 17, 2025, and it is already impacting individuals in New Jersey who are preparing to apply for U.S. citizenship through the N-400 naturalization process.

The memo, formally titled Restoring a Rigorous, Holistic, and Comprehensive Good Moral Character Evaluation Standard for Aliens Applying for Naturalization, can be read directly on the USCIS website here: USCIS Policy Memorandum PDF.

At Lee & Garasia, LLC, our experienced New Jersey immigration lawyers are monitoring these changes closely. In this article, we’ll break down what the memo means, how it changes the citizenship process, and why working with a skilled citizenship lawyer in New Jersey is more important than ever.

What Is “Good Moral Character” and Why Does It Matter?

To qualify for U.S. citizenship, applicants must demonstrate good moral character during the statutory period—five years in most cases, or three years if applying based on marriage to a U.S. citizen.

In simple terms, applicants must show they have lived as a “good person,” without conduct that calls their integrity into question. Historically, USCIS focused on:

• Crimes involving moral turpitude (CIMTs) such as theft or fraud
• Aggravated felonies or other serious crimes
• Failure to pay taxes, alimony or child support
• DUI or DWI convictions, especially multiple offenses within the five-year statutory period

But with the new 2025 memo, USCIS is expanding the definition of good moral character and placing greater weight on how applicants conduct themselves in all areas of life—not just whether they avoided crimes.

Key Features of the New USCIS Good Moral Character Memo

1. A “Totality of Circumstances” Test

USCIS officers must now consider the totality of the applicant’s life during the statutory period. Instead of adhering to a simple, mechanical checklist, officers are given discretion to balance both negative conduct and positive contributions.

This means that even if you have no arrests or convictions, the tenor of the memo is that you may still need to provide affirmative evidence of good character. The absence of disqualifying acts is not enough, in and of itself, to warrant approval. The officers are instructed to apply a more holistic approach in their calculus and determine whether the applicant has established by a preponderance of the evidence that he/she is worthy of assuming the rights and privileges of U.S. Citizenship.

2. Expanded List of Positive Factors

The memo specifically lists positive contributions that can strengthen an application, including:

• Sustained employment history and financial responsibility (especially tax compliance)
• Educational achievements (degrees, certifications, or trade programs)
• Community service and volunteer work in New Jersey towns and organizations
• Family responsibilities, such as caregiving for children or elderly relatives
• Long-term residence in the U.S. with proof of integration into society and possibly contributions to the community

For applicants in New Jersey, this might include things like letters from local churches or mosques, proof of volunteering in Edison or Newark, or community awards.

3. Greater Scrutiny of “Borderline” Conduct

The memo directs officers to scrutinize conduct that is not illegal but inconsistent with civic values. Examples include:

• Habitual traffic violations or reckless driving (common in congested areas like Jersey City, Newark or Elizabeth)
• Harassment, threats, or aggressive public behavior
• Failure to meet civic duties or responsibilities, such as ignoring jury duty or child support obligations

This is a major shift. Behavior that might once have been overlooked could now lead to a negative GMC determination and ultimately, denial of the citizenship application.

4. Emphasis on Rehabilitation

For applicants with past mistakes, the memo highlights the importance of showing rehabilitation. This could include:

• Paying back taxes or entering a payment plan with the IRS
• Successfully completing probation or court-ordered programs
• Submitting letters of recommendation from New Jersey employers, clergy, or community leaders

However, permanent statutory bars (such as murder or aggravated felony convictions) still cannot be waived, no matter how much evidence of rehabilitation is provided.

5. Broad Officer Discretion

Perhaps the most concerning feature is the broad discretion now given to USCIS officers. Two applicants with similar records may receive very different outcomes depending on how the officer perceives their character and how well the case is presented.

This makes professional legal guidance essential—especially in New Jersey, where local USCIS field offices (such as Newark and Mount Laurel) may interpret the memo differently or have different practices as to how it should be implemented.

Why This Memo Makes Citizenship Applications More Complex

In the past, most applicants only needed to demonstrate eligibility and avoid disqualifying conduct. Now, USCIS is signaling that character evaluations carry more weight than ever. Even if you pass the English and civics test, you can still be denied citizenship if an officer decides you haven’t demonstrated enough positive evidence of good moral character.

New Jersey Examples Under the Memo

• A taxpayer in Edison who filed late but later caught up (or previously owed backtaxes) may now need to show proof of repayment and evidence of volunteer work to overcome concerns.
• An applicant in Newark with repeated speeding tickets may be asked to show responsibility through defensive driving certificates and letters of good conduct.
• An immigrant with an old shoplifting conviction in Jersey City will need to prove rehabilitation through employment stability and community involvement.

Put simply: how you prepare your case is now just as important as what’s in your record.

How a Citizenship Lawyer in New Jersey Can Help

At Lee & Garasia, LLC, we have successfully represented thousands of naturalization clients across Middlesex, Bergen, Essex, Union, and Hudson Counties. Under this new policy, our role is more critical than ever.

Here’s how we help clients applying for citizenship in New Jersey:

1. Comprehensive Case Review
   We examine your criminal, financial, and personal history for any issues that could raise concerns under the new memo.
2. Building a Positive Record
   We help you compile evidence of good moral character, such as tax records, employment history, community service, and family caregiving.
3. Mitigation Strategies
   If you’ve made mistakes in the past, we develop a strategy to demonstrate rehabilitation and offset negative factors with compelling positive evidence.
4. Interview Preparation
   USCIS interviews are becoming more rigorous due to more exacting standards. We thoroughly prepare you for likely questions so you can confidently highlight your strengths.
5. Representation and Advocacy
   If your case is complicated or USCIS challenges your eligibility, we advocate for you at the interview and, if necessary, through appeals or motions.

FAQs About Good Moral Character and Citizenship in New Jersey

1. Can USCIS deny citizenship for traffic tickets in New Jersey?
   Yes. While one or two tickets in and of themselves may not be disqualifying, a pattern of reckless or habitual violations may be considered evidence of poor moral character.
2. What if I had a DUI or DWI conviction?
   A single DUI does not automatically bar you, but two or more within the five-year period often result in denial. Under the new memo, even one conviction could be weighed negatively unless you provide strong rehabilitation evidence.
3. What evidence can show good moral character for citizenship?
   USCIS officers look for positive contributions such as stable employment, tax compliance, educational achievements, family caregiving, and community service in New Jersey. Letters from employers, religious leaders, or community organizations can also help.
4. Can I be denied citizenship in New Jersey if I meet all other requirements?
   Yes. Even if you meet residency and test requirements, USCIS may deny your N-400 if the officer decides you have not demonstrated sufficient good moral character. The 2025 memo gives officers broad discretion, making legal guidance crucial.

Why Now Is the Time to Seek Legal Help

Applying for citizenship is supposed to be the joyful conclusion of your immigration journey. But with the new USCIS good moral character memo, the process has become more complex, subjective, and risky than ever before.

A denial not only delays your citizenship but, in some cases, can potentially trigger removal proceedings. That is why working with an experienced New Jersey immigration lawyer is critical.

Contact Lee & Garasia, LLC

At Lee & Garasia, LLC, our attorneys have decades of experience helping immigrants in Edison, Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, and throughout New Jersey achieve citizenship.

Call us today to schedule a confidential consultation with a trusted citizenship lawyer in New Jersey. Let us help you prepare your strongest case under the new USCIS standards.