What Does “Good Moral Character” Mean for Naturalization?
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is the main source of immigration laws in the US and prescribes the manner by which legal permanent residents can become US citizens. In order to become a naturalized US citizen, the applicant must meet several conditions. Generally, applicants must have been legal permanent residents for at least five years to be eligible for naturalization. During this five year period, the applicant must have remained in good immigration standing and exhibited good moral behavior. The INA, however, does not define good moral behavior. Rather, the Act lists the types of behaviors that would demonstrate an applicant lacked good moral behavior, and thus would be either temporarily or permanently barred from attaining US citizenship. Applicants who have been convicted of murder or aggravated felonies are permanently barred from applying for citizenship. Behaviors that can result in a temporary bar or negatively impact a naturalization application include: • Prov
