🔍 USCIS Revives Neighborhood Investigations: What This Means for Naturalization

On August 19, 2025, USCIS announced that it would now evaluate “good moral character” in naturalization cases through a holistic assessment of an applicant’s conduct, adherence to societal norms, and affirmative contributions to U.S. society. Just three days later, on August 22, USCIS revealed it would resume neighborhood investigations—a practice largely dormant since 1991—to verify applicants’ character, residence, and attachment to U.S. values.

This change stems from authority under INA §335(a), which allows USCIS to corroborate naturalization eligibility through field investigations. While the statutory authority is longstanding, the practice has not been widely used in decades.

📜 A Look Back

Historically, naturalization was a more community-centered process. Until 1981, applicants were required to bring two witnesses to attest to their moral character. Congress removed this requirement, replacing it with discretionary neighborhood investigations, which themselves fell out of regular use by the early 1990s.

Today, USCIS is reintroducing this tool, potentially requiring applicants to provide letters of support from neighbors, employers, or community members proactively to avoid a field investigation.

🔍 What We Don’t Yet Know

Since this policy is brand-new, we haven’t yet seen how USCIS will implement it or whether there will be resources to support widespread neighborhood investigations. Will USCIS’s new enforcement officers actually be out in communities knocking on doors? How will this play out in large cities, where neighbors may barely know one another, or in suburban areas where social ties are less visible?

These questions highlight that, while the statutory authority exists, applying it in today’s environment may be challenging.

📌 Potential Implications

If implemented fully, this policy could:

• Lengthen processing times for N-400 applications, as field investigations will require additional resources and scheduling.

• Lead applicants to submit proactive evidence of good moral character—such as letters from neighbors, coworkers, and community members—at the time of filing.

• Increase the level of subjective review in naturalization decisions, given that neighbor or community testimony may vary widely in relevance or reliability.

At present, N-400 applications are often processed within six months. It remains to be seen whether this change will extend those timelines.

🧭 Guidance for Applicants

For those considering naturalization under these new guidelines:

• Prepare early. Start gathering supporting letters from individuals who know you and can speak to your contributions and character.

• Document your community involvement. Volunteer work, professional achievements, and other contributions may carry more weight under the new holistic review.

• Stay informed. USCIS policy changes are evolving, and applicants should work closely with qualified immigration counsel to ensure their cases are prepared under the most current guidance.

This revival of neighborhood investigations marks a significant shift in how USCIS evaluates naturalization applicants. While its practical impact is not yet clear, this change underscores the importance of careful preparation and awareness of evolving immigration procedures.