Lawson v. United States Citizenship & Immigration Services

OPINION

CHIN, Circuit Judge:

In 2006, petitioner Vernon Lawson applied to be naturalized as a United States citizen. Respondent United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“US-CIS”) denied the application. Lawson petitions this Court for de novo review of his application pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1421(c). As the parties agree, the sole issue presented is whether Lawson is and has been of “good moral character.” If not, then he will be deported from the United States. If so, he may continue to live his life in this country — as an American citizen.

Although the focus of the inquiry is the…