USCIS Resumes Neighborhood Investigations for Naturalization Applications

On August 25, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it is resuming “neighborhood” investigations of certain individuals applying for naturalization. This policy change ends the agency’s over three-decade long practice of waiving these investigations.

Overview of Neighborhood Investigations

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) directs the USCIS to conduct investigations of applicants for U.S. citizenship unless the Secretary of Homeland Security chooses to waive the investigation. These personal investigations, also known as neighborhood investigations, cover the area of an individual’s place of residence and employment and include at least the five-year period preceding the naturalization application. These investigations are ostensibly to determine an applicant’s residency, good moral character, attachment to the U.S. Constitution, and disposition to the good order and happiness of the United States. As of 1991, these investigations generally have been waived for all naturalization applicants.

The New Investigation Policy

The USCIS has immediately ended the general waiver of neighborhood investigations for naturalization applicants. Whether an individual will be subject to an investigation will be determined on a case-by-case basis after an officer reviews the evidence in the application and USCIS records for the individual. In determining whether an investigation is required, the USCIS may request testimonial letters from neighbors, employers, coworkers, and business associates who know the applicant.

Submitting such evidence proactively with the application for naturalization may help the USCIS determine whether a neighborhood investigation is needed or can be waived. The USCIS can also issue a request for evidence for such information if it is not contained in the application.

Conclusion

While it is still unclear how the policy will be implemented, it is likely to significantly increase the processing time for naturalization applications. Individuals seeking assistance with this new policy or general naturalization requirements are encouraged to schedule a consultation with a Murthy Law Firm attorney.

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