The Trump administration is bringing back a long-unused process to review immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship.
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memo, first reported by CBS News and later confirmed by DHS to Newsweek, said that “neighborhood checks” would be used again by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow told Newsweek, “The Immigration and Nationality Act directs USCIS to conduct personal investigations, and incorporating neighborhood investigations will help enhance these statutorily required investigations to ensure that we are meeting congressional intent.”
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem have made several changes to the immigration system since January. They say these steps are needed to protect national security and prevent illegal immigration.
Immigration advocates warn that some stricter rules make it harder for people who have followed U.S. laws for years to gain legal status.
What To Know
The policy memo, dated August 22, 2025, says neighborhood checks will return for people applying for U.S. citizenship or naturalization. This process has mostly not been used since 1991.
USCIS says these checks help determine an immigrant’s eligibility for citizenship. They look at where someone has lived in the last five years, their “good moral character,” and their commitment to the U.S. Constitution.
The agency is using its authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to restart neighborhood checks for all citizenship applicants, unless a waiver is given.
The memo said USCIS may ask for information from neighbors, employers, co-workers, and business associates to support an application. Applicants can also provide this information themselves to help speed up the process.
USCIS has recently added other vetting rules, including checking for “anti-Americanism” when reviewing immigration benefits and reviewing applicants’ social media profiles.
What People Are Saying
USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow told Newsweek: “USCIS is working to ensure that only the most qualified applicants receive American citizenship. Americans should be comforted knowing that USCIS is taking seriously its responsibility to ensure aliens are being properly vetted, are of good moral character, respect the U.S. Constitution, and contribute to the good order and happiness of the United States.”
What’s Next
USCIS said it will update its policy manual, which guides all of its work, to include these changes.
