USCIS Revives Decades-Old 'Neighbourhood Checks' for Citizenship Applicants

Strategic Insights -

A new USCIS government policy has brought back "neighbourhood checks" as part of the verification protocol to ensure aliens are being properly vetted and are of good moral character. This move is reminiscent of a decades-old requirement, dating back to 1802, where applicants were required to present two witnesses who could testify to their qualifications. The policy change comes as the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) continues to stress the importance of applicants' "good moral character" while vetting their citizenship requests. Director Joseph Edlow has confirmed that the memo will "ensure that only the most qualified applicants receive American citizenship." The update has sparked concerns among immigrants, who are reminded that "immigration benefits, including to live and work in the United States, remain a privilege, not a right."

Key Takeaways:

  • The USCIS has revived a decades-old "neighbourhood checks" policy as part of the verification protocol for citizenship applicants, which was previously discontinued in 1991.
  • The policy requires USCIS to conduct on-ground investigations, including interviewing neighbours and coworkers of the petitioners, to assess the applicant's "good moral character."
  • The move is part of enhanced vetting processes for immigrants and nonimmigrants, with the USCIS Director Joseph Edlow confirming that the memo will "ensure that only the most qualified applicants receive American citizenship."
  • The updated policy also raises concerns about potential biases and discrimination against immigrants, with some critics arguing that the policy is a throwback to a more restrictive era of immigration enforcement.
  • The USCIS has warned applicants against ties to "terrorists," supposed criminal ties, drug convictions, immigration fraud, and "anti-Americanism," among other red-flagged violations.
  • The policy change comes amidst a backdrop of increased hostility towards immigrants in the US, with Americans amplifying their hate calls against immigrants on social media.

Statistics:

  • Since 2025, USCIS has updated its memo on the naturalisation process to emphasize the importance of applicants' "good moral character."
  • The government agency has waived the requirements for neighbourhood investigations until now, relying majorly on biometric checks and criminal history checks performed by the FBI.
  • The US government memo dated August 22, 2025, states that USCIS will immediately end the general waiver of neighbourhood investigations to ensure that aliens applying for naturalisation meet statutory requirements.
  • The US will resume conducting neighbourhood investigations, which were originally required from 1802 to 1981.

Sources:

  • IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd. (2025, August 22). Resumption of Personal Investigations of Aliens Applying for Naturalisation (INA 335(a)). USCIS Memo.
  • CBS News. (2025, August 22). USCIS to Resume 'Neighbourhood Checks' for Citizenship Applicants.