U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has resumed conducting neighborhood checks on applicants for U.S. naturalization, a policy last implemented during the first Bush administration. According to a policy memo released by USCIS, the revival of these investigations under the Trump administration will involve assessing applicants’ residency, good moral character, and allegiance to the United States. The policy includes requesting testimonial letters from neighbors, employers, co-workers, and associates to verify the applicant’s background. The decision aligns with the administration’s ongoing efforts to tighten U.S. immigration oversight and reflects broader policy changes targeting the naturalization process.
The move has drawn criticism from Democrats, who have consistently opposed the administration’s stringent immigration policies. Rep. Joe Neguse, a Colorado Democrat, emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in immigration enforcement. ‘Transparency matters. Oversight matters. Accountability matters,’ he said after a recent visit to a Colorado detention center. The revival of neighborhood checks is part of a broader trend of immigration tightening under the Trump administration, which has faced backlash for its mass deportation efforts and heightened scrutiny of legal immigration processes.
Historically, neighborhood investigations were used to assess a naturalization applicant’s character, with the process evolving over the decades. The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act eliminated the need for witnesses, shifting the focus to FBI background checks. However, the Trump administration’s decision to reintroduce neighborhood checks signifies a return to more traditional vetting methods. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow stated that these measures are intended to ensure applicants meet the statutory requirements and demonstrate genuine commitment to the United States.
Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns about the implications of the policy. They argue that overly strict citizenship checks can deter eligible immigrants from applying and disrupt the naturalization process. The administration, however, maintains that these checks are necessary to uphold the integrity of U.S. citizenship. The policy’s long-term impact remains a topic of debate, with critics warning of possible administrative burdens and logistical challenges in implementing neighborhood investigations at a national scale.
As the Trump administration continues to reshape immigration policy, the revival of neighborhood checks underscores its commitment to stringent vetting of naturalization applicants. This development highlights the ongoing tension between national security concerns and the rights of immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship, a debate that has intensified under the current administration and faces continued scrutiny from political opponents.