US To Deny Citizenship For Immigrants That Have Ties To Marijuana Industry, Even In States Where It’s Legal

April 20, 2019 Immigration, Trump Administration

As people around the country mark 4/20 — the unofficial holiday celebrating marijuana — U.S. officials have released new guidance around marijuana for immigrants hoping to earn U.S. citizenship. Officials said Friday that immigrants involved with cannabis in any way — even in states where it has been legalized — could disqualify them from naturalization.

New guidance from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) — which issues green cards and citizenship — says immigrants involved in “marijuana-related activities” could be found to lack good moral character, which is required to gain citizenship. “Activities” include the possession, manufacturing, distribution or dispensing of cannabis, regardless of state laws.

We issued policy guidance clarifying that naturalization applicants must comply w/federal controlled substance laws, including those pertaining to marijuana, to establish good moral character during the naturalization application process. Read more here: https://t.co/yqSraeDiBn

— USCIS (@USCIS) April 19, 2019