US Reinstates Neighbourhood Checks for Citizenship Applicants

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reinstated neighbourhood investigations for lawful permanent residents applying for naturalisation, ending a longstanding waiver that had been in place for more than 30 years.

According to a policy memorandum dated 22 August 2025, USCIS officers may now carry out in-person inquiries around an applicant’s home and workplace, covering a period of at least five years prior to the citizenship application. These checks may involve gathering testimonial letters from neighbours, employers, colleagues, and business associates to verify the applicant’s continuous residence, good moral character, and commitment to the principles of the US Constitution.

Neighbourhood investigations were once a routine part of the naturalisation process, including requirements for applicants to provide character witnesses. These practices were gradually phased out during the 1980s and early 1990s in favour of fingerprint-based background checks and FBI screenings. USCIS has now reintroduced them as part of broader efforts to reinforce the integrity of the naturalisation process and align with congressional intent.

Applicants are encouraged to submit supporting testimonial evidence when filing their applications, although USCIS may still conduct checks at its discretion. Refusing or failing to provide requested documentation may negatively affect an applicant’s eligibility for citizenship.

Legal experts and advocacy groups have raised concerns about the policy’s potential impact on immigrant communities, particularly in cases where applicants have limited connections with neighbours or colleagues. Questions have also been raised about the consistency of assessing character and civic disposition based on personal opinions.

The change is part of a wider overhaul of USCIS vetting procedures, which includes increased scrutiny of family-based petitions and expanded monitoring of applicants’ online activity for signs of extremist views or anti-American sentiment. The agency is expected to update its Policy Manual in the coming weeks to reflect the new guidance.