Tuesday Immigration Update: USCIS Resumes “Neighborhood Checks” in Naturalization Process

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has quietly reinstated neighborhood and workplace investigations for naturalization applicants—a practice largely suspended since the early 1990s.  The August 22 policy reversal restores a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act that allows discretionary personal investigations of applicants’ conduct and character.

What is Changing?

• Rescinding the Waiver: USCIS has ended a decades-long waiver and will again determine whether to conduct in-person checks of applicants’ neighborhoods and workplaces.

 

• Discretionary Use: Investigations will be carried out on a case-by-case basis. USCIS may evaluate evidence submitted by the applicant—including testimonial letters from neighbors, employers, and co-workers—to decide if a personal investigation is warranted.

Why Now?

USCIS leadership says the move better aligns with congressional intent to ensure applicants are of “good moral character” and “attached to the principles of the Constitution.”   The agency characterizes the return to in-person checks as strengthening statutory scrutiny amid increasing concern about overstays and fraud.

What It Could Mean for Applicants

• Extended Processing Times: Neighborhood checks may lengthen adjudication timelines, particularly if in-person interviews are required.

 

• More Documentation Needed: Applicants may benefit from proactively submitting character references or testimonial letters.

 

• Discretion and Consistency: USCIS case officers will exercise discretion—raising concerns about potential disparities in how the new policy is applied.

 

• Privacy Concerns: Some applicants may feel uneasy about personal visits or interviews occurring near their home or workplace.

What You Can Do

• Include Testimonials: Submit letters from trusted community members, employers, or associates who can confirm your character and residence.

 

• Prepare for Possible Visits: Be ready to respond to inquiries related to your residence or social ties if a neighborhood check is initiated.

 

• Stay Informed: Watch for updates to the USCIS Policy Manual and official guidance that explain how this change will be implemented.

📩 For guidance on naturalization procedures, preparing for neighborhood checks, or related immigration matters, contact the Law Office of Julia L. Stommes.


​If you have questions about your visa status or if you are an employer exploring immigration options, we are here to help.  At the Law Office of Julia L. Stommes, we are committed to helping individuals and businesses navigate complex legal landscapes.
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The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.  To schedule a Consultation to discuss your legal immigration options, please email us at [email protected].