Because you sent a LinkedIn request to USCIS staff: Is this a new reason to deny naturalization?
One lawyer cited a case in which a person’s application for U.S. citizenship was denied because of poor moral character. USCIS said applicants send a LinkedIn request to USCIS staff so they can “understand your personal identity.” USCIS said this conduct was inconsistent with appropriate professional boundaries between applicants and USCIS personnel and reflected a disregard for the agency’s official channels of communication. USCIS said this behavior also raises concerns that USCIS personnel may be subject to threats, coercion or improper influence. “DHS personnel do face threats and intimidation, and your lack of judgment in this regard could adversely affect your good moral character,” the USCIS notice said.The lawyer did not disclose any details of the case, nor the name or nationality of the client, but he expressed surprise that USCIS used this as a reason to deny naturalization. Attorneys noted that there was no allegation of actual contact and that the case was based on a request for attention on LinkedIn. The USCIS officers who received the LinkedIn request were the USCIS San Jose Field Office Director and the USCIS San Francisco Regional Director.
N-400 and naturalization
Naturalization is the legal process by which a non-U.S. citizen voluntarily becomes a U.S. citizen after meeting requirements established by Congress. Green card holders who have lived in the United States for five years and those based on marriage who have lived in the United States for three years can apply for naturalization.The process begins with filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. The next stage of the biometric appointment is for the applicant to provide fingerprints, photos and signatures. Fingerprints are sent to the FBI for a criminal record check, while USCIS examines the applicant’s moral character, community involvement, travel history and other factors. Then conduct a face-to-face interview. In this particular case, the applicant disclosed to the interviewer that they sent a LinkedIn request to two USCIS officials so that they could view their LinkedIn profile in full.U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said their officers received threats from applicants and lumped LinkedIn requests into the same category. It is unclear whether there were other grounds for rejection or whether this was the only one.
