U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Companies (USCIS) announced new coverage steerage on June 13 to strengthen the evaluate course of for Kind N-648, the Medical Certification utilized by candidates looking for incapacity exceptions to naturalization necessities.
The up to date coverage goals to reinforce the integrity of the naturalization course of by focusing extra rigorously on verifying the authenticity of medical certifications and stopping fraud. Over time, USCIS has recognized quite a few circumstances the place the incapacity exception course of has been exploited, permitting people to bypass English language and civics necessities with out correct justification. Fraudulent certifications undermine the credibility of the naturalization system and will outcome within the naturalization of people who don’t meet eligibility requirements.
Sometimes, immigrants making use of for U.S. citizenship should exhibit proficiency in English and a fundamental understanding of U.S. civics. Nonetheless, candidates who’ve medically determinable bodily or developmental disabilities or psychological impairments anticipated to final not less than 12 months can search exceptions by submitting Kind N-648, accomplished and licensed by a licensed medical skilled.
The brand new steerage clarifies that the certifying medical skilled should explicitly clarify how the applicant’s incapacity prevents them from fulfilling the English and civics necessities — the mere presence of a incapacity is not ample grounds for an exception.
USCIS additionally famous that the submission of a number of Kind N-648s for a similar applicant inside a brief interval will set off nearer scrutiny, as it might point out makes an attempt to abuse the system.
This coverage replace is especially related to immigrant communities, together with Caribbean immigrants, who typically depend on these medical exceptions through the naturalization course of. USCIS emphasizes that these measures defend the integrity of citizenship pathways whereas guaranteeing that reliable candidates obtain honest consideration.
The steerage is a part of the USCIS Coverage Handbook, Quantity 12, and aligns with Govt Orders 14148 and 14159, which concentrate on safeguarding American establishments and defending the nation. The modifications apply instantly to all naturalization functions and Kind N-648 submissions filed on or after June 13, 2025.
