USCIS Updates Policy Guidance on Naturalization Applicants Who Did Not Properly Obtain Lawful Permanent Resident Status

On Nov. 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services updated policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the circumstances when we would find applicants ineligible for naturalization  because they were not lawfully admitted for permanent residence. 

Applicants are ineligible for naturalization if they obtained lawful permanent residence (LPR) status in error, by fraud or otherwise not in compliance with the law.

The update also clarifies that we review whether applicants have abandoned their LPR status when we adjudicate their naturalization application. If an applicant does not meet the burden of establishing that they maintained LPR status, we generally deny the naturalization application and place the applicant in removal proceedings by issuing a Notice to Appear (NTA). The update also provides that we generally deny a naturalization application filed on or after the effective date if the applicant is in removal proceedings pursuant to a warrant of arrest.

For more information, see the Policy Manual update (PDF, 329.41 KB).