According to CBS News, the Trump administration is reinstating a long-discontinued practice of conducting “neighborhood checks” as part of the naturalization process for U.S. citizenship. These checks, which were largely abandoned in 1991, allow U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers to interview neighbors, coworkers, and employers of applicants to determine whether they meet requirements such as good moral character and adherence to the U.S. Constitution.
The new USCIS directive immediately ends the longstanding waiver of neighborhood investigations and directs officers to decide case by case whether such checks are needed. Applicants may now be asked to submit testimonial letters from community members to avoid further scrutiny. Critics argue this creates an intimidating atmosphere and could discourage eligible immigrants from applying, while the administration maintains the policy will safeguard against fraud and ensure only “qualified applicants” gain citizenship.
This development adds another layer to the administration’s broader efforts to intensify vetting of legal immigration benefits, including green cards and work permits.
Read More: CBS News – U.S. to resume “neighborhood checks” for citizenship applications (published Aug. 26, 2025): https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-citizenship-neighborhood-checks-trump-administration-immigration-2025/
Constant Contact / Social Caption (draft):
The Trump administration is bringing back “neighborhood checks” for citizenship applicants — a practice dormant since 1991. USCIS may now interview neighbors, employers, and coworkers as part of naturalization vetting. Details via CBS News: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-citizenship-neighborhood-checks-trump-administration-immigration-2025/
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