Character and fitness

In United States law, good moral character describes behaviors in which the applicants have been involved and details requirements for consideration for certain benefits or positions. The term is chiefly used by the federal government in immigration law, but it can also be a requirement for a particular position of employment or licensure in a particular occupation or profession, such as admission to practice law and teaching. In order to gain U.S. citizenship through naturalization, a person must be considered of "good moral character".

It is the opposite of moral turpitude, another legal concept in the United States used in similar instances.

Good moral character is an important aspect of immigration law and even minor violations can be the sole reason for a dismissal of a case appealing for citizenship.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services describes "good moral character" as an absence of involvement in the following activities:

Additionally, several other activities disqualify a person from having "good moral character":

The precise requirements among government and commercial employers vary widely. Background checks are a type of verification of good moral character and they are often accompanied by drug testing. For admission to the bar in the United States, lawyers must go through extensive moral character checks as part of the application process.

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