The United States government issued a new memorandum that hardens the requirements for the naturalization of legal immigrants.
Lima, Peru – The United States Government ordered the immigration authorities of that country to intensify the scrutiny of the applications for naturalization of legal immigrants, said the reporter of CBS News Camilo Montoya-Galés.
Through a recent memorandum, the administration of President Donald Trump asked to examine migrants applications more rigorously, thus continuing to the hard hand policy against illegal migration to the United States.
The document highlights the “good moral character”, a requirement that applicants must have and that must be considered by the United States citizenship and immigration service (USCIS).
Although the requirement is contemplated within the immigration and nationality law, its definition is vague in terms of details, so it is at the discretion of the authorities to evaluate each case, paying attention to all the circumstances.
Journalist Mario J. Pentón stressed in its official website That this evaluation includes not only serious crimes, but also the general behavior, family obligations and the role of the applicant in their community.
“An act that can be technically legal can, however, reflect a lack of moral character,” says the memorandum.
Likewise, the document underlines other criteria that automatically invalidates an applicant, including: Drug sentences, two or more positions in DUI (handle under influence), illegal record to vote and marriage fraud.
Other relevant elements under the scrutiny of USCIS officers will be tax evasion or the lack of support for children. In that sense, however, the Memo acknowledges that applicants can demonstrate positive changes to also take into consideration.
“Officers must take into account if the foreigner has tried to rectify undue conduct, such as paying food pension debts, rehabilitating addictions or complying with backward obligations,” he says.
The naturalization process in the United States has suffered Other regulations In recent weeks. Since August 1, 2025, immigrants requesting permanent residence (Green Card) by marriage or other family link are no longer automatically protected from deportation, according to a new policy of the USCIS that has already entered into force.
The measure establishes that the presentation of a residence petition based on a relative, even if it is an American citizen, does not grant legal immigration status or prevents the beginning of an expulsion process from the country. This represents a significant change with respect to the previous practice, which allowed many migrants to remain in the country while their cases were processed.
The provision applies to both new applicants and those who are already in process. “A family petition alone does not grant any benefit or protect from deportation,” said the USCIS in its updated manual.
