U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will once again conduct in-person “neighborhood checks” as part of the citizenship process, ending a decades-old waiver of the practice.
In a policy memo dated August 22 and released publicly on Tuesday, the agency said officers may now interview neighbors, coworkers, or employers of naturalization applicants to confirm eligibility for U.S. citizenship. The move restores a practice last used under the George H.W. Bush administration, more than 30 years ago.
What Naturalization Applicants Need to Know
Under the updated policy, USCIS officers will decide on a case-by-case basis whether to conduct a neighborhood investigation. These investigations could include reviewing testimonial letters or, in some cases, speaking directly with people who know the applicant.
This change ends the 34-year blanket waiver that applied to all cases. Instead, officers will now make decisions on a case-by-case basis. If an applicant provides strong supporting evidence up front, officers may still choose to waive the neighborhood investigation.
“The challenge is that officers now have wide discretion but little guidance,” said Erik Finch, a former USCIS officer and Boundless director of global operations. “Without clear standards, two applicants with nearly identical cases could face very different levels of scrutiny.”
In the memo, USCIS encourages applicants to submit testimonial letters from neighbors, employers, or community members. If the agency requests additional evidence and the applicant doesn’t provide it, officers may move forward with a neighborhood check, which could cause delays.
Historical Context
Neighborhood investigations aren’t new. For much of U.S. history, applicants had to bring witnesses who could testify about their character. Later, officers sometimes carried out neighborhood checks themselves. The practice was discontinued entirely in 1991, when the agency’s predecessor, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), stopped using them.
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said in a statement the move protects the integrity of the naturalization process.
“Americans should be comforted knowing that USCIS is taking seriously its responsibility to ensure aliens are being properly vetted and are of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well-disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States,” Edlow said.
Neighborhood Checks: What to Expect Now
- When USCIS May Apply It: Officers will make decisions individually. If your application clearly shows continuous residence and good moral character, USCIS may waive the check. If questions arise, a neighborhood investigation is more likely.
- How to Prepare: Submitting testimonial letters with your application may help USCIS determine an investigation isn’t needed. Preparing this evidence early can reduce delays.
- Possible Delays: USCIS staff reductions and new vetting requirements may slow down the naturalization process.
What Employers Should Know
USCIS has said neighborhood investigations may include contacting an applicant’s workplace. That could mean interviewing employers, managers, or coworkers to confirm details about the applicant’s character and eligibility.
Employers don’t need to prepare special documents in advance, but it’s helpful to be aware of this possibility. If contacted by USCIS, you should be ready to confirm basic information such as dates of employment and the applicant’s role.
Bottom Line
For most applicants, the naturalization process will look the same, but USCIS now has the option to conduct neighborhood investigations. Preparing strong evidence up front may help avoid extra steps and delays.