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The government of President Donald Trump has decided to revive a practice that has been abandoned since 1991: the so-called "neighborhood investigations" as part of the naturalization process for legal immigrants in the United States.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a memo dated August 22, which mandates the reinstatement of these personal checks, allowing officials to conduct interviews with neighbors, employers, or coworkers of the applicants for U.S. citizenship.
According to the document, the measure reverses an exemption that had been in place for more than 30 years and expands the powers of USCIS officials to apply this provision "on a case-by-case basis," as authorized by Section 335(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
“USCIS is resuming background investigations of foreign nationals applying for naturalization, in accordance with section 335(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act”, the memorandum states.
What do neighborhood controls involve?
These investigations include visits to the applicant's neighborhood or workplace to verify key aspects of their eligibility: residence, moral character, adherence to the U.S. Constitution, and willingness to contribute to the "good order and happiness" of the country, requirements established in U.S. immigration legislation.
From now on, officials can request and review testimonial letters from individuals who know the applicant—such as neighbors, employers, or coworkers—and even interview them directly.
"Americans should feel reassured knowing that USCIS takes its responsibility seriously to ensure that foreigners... have good moral character, adhere to the principles of the Constitution... and are well-disposed towards the good order and happiness of the United States," stated USCIS Director Joseph Edlow in remarks captured by local media.
If the applicant does not voluntarily provide this evidence, they may be subject to a more in-depth neighborhood verification. This measure could also cause delays in the naturalization process.
A further step in the strategy of tightening immigration controls
Although neighborhood controls have been included in the law since 1965, their use was almost completely abandoned starting in 1991, when the then Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS, predecessor of USCIS) stopped using them due to their inefficiency, high cost, and limited usefulness, as reported by former officials.
"It was seen as one of those anachronistic processes," said Doris Meissner, former commissioner of the INS under President Clinton.
“They required a lot of work and rarely provided useful information,” he added.
Since then, the federal government had chosen to verify the backgrounds of applicants through biometric checks and FBI criminal databases.
But this shift in the Trump administration is part of a broader strategy to restrict access to legal immigration, joining other measures such as the reduction of the refugee admission program, the end of humanitarian policies from the Biden era, and the tightening of the "good moral character" requirement.
"Incorporating neighborhood investigations will help enhance these investigations required by law to ensure that we fulfill the intent of Congress," Edlow stated in Politico.
Critiques: New Standard or Intimidation Tactic?
The measure has been heavily criticized by immigration rights organizations, former officials, and Democratic sectors, who believe that its true purpose is to create a hostile environment that discourages immigrants from applying for citizenship, even if they are eligible.
"The idea is to create a more intimidating atmosphere that discourages people from seeking naturalization," warned Doris Meissner to CBS News.
Another cause for concern is the lack of clear guidelines for implementation. According to Erik Finch, former USCIS official and current director of global operations at Boundless, the ambiguity of the new protocol paves the way for inconsistent decisions.
"Without clear standards, two applicants with nearly identical cases could face very different levels of scrutiny," warned Finch.
Moreover, immigrant advocates emphasize that such policies can lead to arbitrary discrimination or selective persecution, especially against racialized migrant communities.
Practical consequences: Delays, uncertainty, and community pressure
The resumption of neighborhood controls not only introduces a new filter of discretion but also represents a significant logistical and operational change for an already tense system.
USCIS officials themselves acknowledge that the measure could lead to delays in the naturalization process, particularly due to staff shortages resulting from budget cuts.
Employers and neighbors contacted by USCIS are not required to prepare specific documentation, but they should be ready to confirm basic information about the applicant if requested.
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