If you’re a lawful permanent resident aiming to become a U.S. citizen, you might worry that financial issues like unemployment, debt, or bankruptcy could block your path. This article will help you understand how the “good moral character” requirement impacts your naturalization process in the context of these financial challenges.
Knowing the Requirement
Before diving into how financial troubles might affect your eligibility for citizenship, it’s essential to understand what good moral character means. It’s a key part of the naturalization process that helps determine if an applicant is suitable for U.S. citizenship.
What is Good Moral Character?
U.S. immigration law doesn’t give an exact definition of what it is but tells you what disqualifies someone and some crimes immediately disqualify, but financial issues like debt, unemployment, or bankruptcy are not on this list. According to the USCIS Policy Manual, GCM involves behavior that aligns with the standards of average citizens in your community, giving the officers some discretion in their assessments.
The Impact of Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a common concern for those applying for citizenship. While having debt, being unemployed, or facing foreclosure aren’t automatic disqualifiers, bankruptcy can influence how USCIS evaluates your moral character.
Tax Debt
If you owe taxes, this can complicate your naturalization process. USCIS requires applicants to settle any outstanding federal, state, or local tax debts, including penalties, before approving citizenship. However, showing evidence of a payment agreement with the IRS can also be acceptable.
Subjective Evaluation by USCIS
USCIS officers have considerable discretion in evaluating an applicant’s moral character. Their evaluation should reflect community standards, meaning you must meet, but not necessarily exceed, these standards.
The Role of USCIS Officers
Ultimately, USCIS officers decide on an applicant’s moral character. In the past, some officers denied citizenship to those receiving public assistance, but this practice faced opposition from attorneys and immigration advocates. Now, USCIS acknowledges that lawfully receiving benefits without fraud doesn’t negatively impact one’s moral character.
Avoiding Unlawful Behavior
While financial struggles alone don’t disqualify you from citizenship, any unlawful activities related to these issues can be problematic. Actions like committing fraud to obtain public assistance or failing to pay child support can negatively affect your moral character evaluation.
In summary, being unemployed, in debt, or bankrupt doesn’t automatically prevent you from becoming a U.S. citizen. The “good moral character” requirement focuses on behavior that aligns with community standards. While financial difficulties aren’t disqualifying factors, addressing tax debt and avoiding unlawful actions related to financial issues are crucial steps in your journey to naturalization.
