why do people get turned down for naturalization?

[TwoScoops]

It seems like a number of people get turned down
for naturalization... what are usually the reasons?
(other than the obvious ones like: not enough
time in US, past criminal record, failing the test,
not showing up... etc)

While I was sitting in the fingerprint office two
days ago, I was thinking that 100% of the people
who were there for fingerprinting should have
a clean record, like myself. I mean, if someone
has a criminal record, why would he/she even
bother coming in to get fingerprinted in the first
place?

 

[Flydog]

Read the Guide to Naturalization. It states the requirements for naturalization. If someone applies and the USCIS decides they don't meet those requirements, well, then they are turned down.

Reasons:

• Lack of "Attachment to the constition"
  If they decide that you are not serious about your "attachment" to the US (for example, they think you are getting a US Passport only to have a US Passport and you don't intend to settle here). Or, you fail the "civics test"
• No knowledge of English
  The IO isn't satisfied with your english skills or you fail the english test
• Physical Presence
  The IO decides you haven't spent enough time in the US
• Continuous Residence
  The IO decides that your absenses from the country mean that you have put your residence status in doubt
• Lack of "moral character"
  You have a criminal record, you are found to have lied or to have bent the immigration rules, etc
• The basic rules
  You don't have a GC, you haven't had 5 years since your gc, etc.

 

[boatbod]

The most common reasons for denial all fall under those posted by Flydog:
- moral issues (DUI/drug convictions, shoplifting, domestic abuse, ...)
- continuous residence issues (back to back trips, foreign employment, ...)
- poor english skills (unable to communicate effectively with IO during interview)
- not meeting basic eligibility criteria (typically applying a few days too early)
- insufficient supporting evidence (usually a result of residence issues or arrest/convictions)

There are probably more, but mostly those are the ones we see reported here.