USCIS Resumes Neighborhood Checks for Naturalization Applicants.

Effective August 22, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is resuming personal investigations of aliens applying for naturalization, a policy outlined in their new Policy Memorandum PM-602-0189.

This significant change means that the previous general waiver for these investigations is ending, and USCIS will now make decisions on conducting or waiving these checks on a case- by-case basis, depending on the individual applicant.

What Exactly Are Neighborhood Checks?

These “personal investigations,” also known as neighborhood investigations, are a way for USCIS to gather information about naturalization applicants. They typically cover:

• The vicinity of your place of residence and employment.
• At least the 5-year period prior to filing your naturalization application.

The primary goal of these investigations is to corroborate your eligibility for naturalization. This includes scrutinizing key aspects such as:

• Residency
• Good moral character
• Attachment to the U.S. Constitution
• Disposition to the good order and happiness of the United States

Why Is USCIS Bringing Them Back Now?

Historically, the process of applying for naturalization involved different methods of character assessment. From 1802 to 1981, applicants needed two witnesses to testify to their qualifications. While Congress eliminated the witness requirement in 1981, partly because they were better able to determine character through personal investigations, the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) had largely stopped conducting neighborhood investigations by 1991.

Up until this new policy, USCIS generally waived these investigations, relying mainly on biometric and criminal history checks performed by the FBI. However, the new policy states that USCIS is exercising its statutory authority to end this general waiver. The stated purpose is to fully ensure that applicants meet all statutory requirements for naturalization, including showing full attachment to the U.S. Constitution and being well-disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States.

What Does This Mean for Your Naturalization Application?

The most critical takeaway is that neighborhood investigations are no longer generally waived. Instead, USCIS will review the evidence in your record and decide on a case-by-case basis whether to conduct an investigation.

This means that while some applicants might still have their investigations waived, it will not be automatic. Furthermore, failing or refusing to provide requested evidence could lead to a neighborhood investigation, which may impact your ability to establish eligibility for naturalization.

How Can You Prepare?

Fortunately, the USCIS policy memorandum provides guidance on how applicants can help USCIS in deciding whether to waive the requirement.  USCIS may request information from you to help inform their decision on whether to conduct a neighborhood investigation.

This requested information can include:

• Testimonial letters from individuals who know you well and can provide substantiated information about you.
• These individuals could be your neighbors, employers, co-workers, and business associates.
• These letters should speak to your eligibility requirements, such as your character and disposition.

Our key recommendation is to consider submitting such evidence proactively with your Application for Naturalization (Form N-400). By providing these testimonial letters upfront, you might help USCIS determine that a waiver of a neighborhood investigation is appropriate in your case, potentially avoiding a Request for Evidence (RFE) later.

Don’t Navigate This Alone

This change adds another layer of complexity to the naturalization process. Given that USCIS will make individualized, discretionary decisions on a case-by-case basis,  it’s important to ensure that your application is comprehensive and provides USCIS with all of the information that they might need to waive the requirement of making a neighborhood visit.

While this policy memorandum is primarily for the guidance of USCIS personnel and does not create new legal rights for individuals, understanding its implications is crucial.

If you are applying for naturalization or have questions about how this new policy affects your case, contact U.S. Immigration Lawyer Sean D. Hummel to schedule a consultation to discuss your case.