Sending remittances to Cuba through informal channels — the common practice of the Cuban community abroad — can become an obstacle when applying for U.S. citizenship, as acknowledged by immigration attorney Willy Allen III during a live broadcast regarding the case of a permanent resident whose naturalization was denied by USCIS after 26 years in the United States.
The central issue of the case was not a serious crime, but rather the applicant's inability to document that he was sending child support money to his son in his home country. The money had reached various individuals through informal channels, without a banking trail linking it directly to the minor.
"The problem is that it can happen to many people, mainly because we in Cuba do not send money through banks; we send it through unofficial channels. And those unofficial channels would not be valid for these types of processes," pointed out journalist Tania Costa when addressing the situation.
This risk is especially relevant for Cubans in the diaspora, given that informal remittances to Cuba —through travelers, networks of intermediaries, or digital platforms— are the structural norm of the community, not the exception. Those who send money through these means and have children on the island should keep any available evidence: photos, messages, letters, or the written testimony of the person who brought or delivered the money.
In this regard, Allen III acknowledged that those pathways "probably aren't sufficient on their own before USCIS," but emphasized that there are alternatives to verify the remittances. "There are still support letters, photos, anything else that can show that the person is receiving the money," the lawyer explained.
Among the options he mentioned: a copy of the envelope if the money was sent physically, or a letter signed by the person who delivered it in person to Cuba. "Have the person who took the envelope write a letter," Allen III suggested, and he added a specific example of the text that could be included: "'I certify that I delivered the money to so-and-so's mother for the support of her child.' That would work in that case."
Her conclusion was clear: "There are always ways to find out how to verify the truth of history."
Regarding the options for the individual whose citizenship was denied by USCIS due to moral character issues for failing to provide support for their child, Allen III stated that they can appeal using the USCIS Form N-336 within 30 days of the notification, or they can refile a new N-400 application with more solid documentation. When the original evidence has been clearly insufficient, the attorney prefers this second route. "If there were clearly items missing to justify and present, the government is correct in denying the case and one must reapply with the correct documents," he said.
Allen III also clarified that a denial of citizenship does not mean losing permanent residency. "It doesn’t mean you won't be able to apply again. It doesn't mean they will take away your residency."
Beyond this case, the lawyer explained what other factors might lead USCIS to determine moral turpitude in naturalization applications: "Criminal offenses, failing to pay taxes, having debts with the government. Basically anything that can show that a person has issues, has debts, that they are not doing what they are supposed to do."
Traffic fines can also have significant consequences. Allen III cited the example of a truck driver with numerous violations in different counties of Florida: a single fine typically does not disqualify, but a pattern of accumulating fines—especially if they are unpaid—can be interpreted as evidence of moral misconduct.
USCIS evaluates the requirement of good moral character generally during the five years prior to the naturalization application, or three years if applied for due to marriage to a U.S. citizen, according to the Agency Policy Manual.
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