Katherine Reynolds, associate professor of law and director of the Humanitarian Immigration Law Clinic at 消消犯 School of Law, offered analysis of changes to federal guidance in the naturalization process.
Katherine Reynolds, associate professor of law and director of the Humanitarian Immigration Law Clinic at 消消犯 School of Law, joined legal and community leaders for a public discussion examining recent immigration law and policy developments.
The discussion took place during Immigration Matters: A Conversation on Policy and Law, held June 11 at the in downtown Greensboro. The event was moderated by Omar H. Ali, professor of history and former dean of the Lloyd International Honors College at UNC Greensboro. Reynolds joined fellow panelists Heather Scavone, former associate counsel with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; Abdul Omer, immigration staff attorney at the Center for New North Carolinians; and Kathy Hinshaw, chair of the Latino Community Coalition of Guilford.
Reynolds focused her remarks on recent federal guidance affecting the naturalization process, particularly the “good moral character” requirement for immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship. She explained that while the requirement has long been part of the naturalization process, new guidance encourages immigration officers to take a more holistic approach when evaluating applicants.
“It’s already a murky situation to explain to students and try to educate people on what is good moral character because of this lack of a finite definition,” Reynolds said.
Historically, factors such as criminal history, community involvement, family responsibilities, employment history and tax compliance have been subject to assessment. She questioned how federal officials would interpret new guidance and potentially increase scrutiny across a broader range of factors, such as minor traffic violations.
Reynolds directs Elon Law’s Humanitarian Immigration Law Clinic, which provides legal services to refugees and asylum seekers in North Carolina. The clinicassists clients in applying for political asylum, permanent residency, citizenship, and employment authorization, as well as reunifying families separated by war and conflict, while giving Elon Law students hands-on experience representing clients under attorney supervision.