U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a policy alert (PA-2026-10) updating the USCIS Policy Manual to resume "neighborhood investigations" as part of the naturalization examination process under Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) § 335(a). This provision has long authorized USCIS to conduct an investigation of the applicant's residence, employment, and good moral character in the community, historically including inquiries with neighbors, employers, and other community contacts. For many years, USCIS treated this requirement as effectively waived for the vast majority of applicants, relying instead on background checks, biometrics, and the naturalization interview itself to establish eligibility. The new policy alert ends that general waiver and reinforces that officers may, and in some cases must, undertake more traditional community-based verification as part of adjudicating an applicant's fitness for citizenship.

For naturalization applicants, this change means the eligibility review process may become more thorough and, in some cases, more time-consuming. USCIS officers will have renewed authority to verify claims made in Form N-400 regarding continuous residence, physical presence, marital and family history, employment, and good moral character through means beyond the applicant's own documentation and testimony. This could include contacting neighbors, landlords, employers, or others who may have relevant knowledge of the applicant's residence and conduct. While the exact scope and triggers for when USCIS will invoke a full neighborhood investigation versus a more limited inquiry have not been fully detailed publicly, applicants should be prepared for the possibility of additional verification steps, particularly in cases involving prior discrepancies, gaps in documentation, or issues touching on good moral character.

Practically, this policy shift underscores the importance of accuracy and consistency throughout the naturalization process. Applicants should ensure that the residential, employment, and family history reflected in their N-400 is fully consistent with prior immigration filings (such as Form I-485 or prior nonimmigrant petitions), tax records, and other supporting documentation. Any changes in address, employment, or marital status since becoming a lawful permanent resident should be well-documented and readily explainable. Applicants with any history that could raise good moral character concerns, even minor ones, should discuss these matters candidly with counsel well before filing, so that any necessary context or supporting evidence can be prepared in advance.

While the resumption of neighborhood investigations does not change the underlying eligibility requirements for naturalization, it does signal a broader USCIS posture toward more rigorous verification. Applicants who are thorough, consistent, and proactive in preparing their naturalization applications will be best positioned to navigate this renewed scrutiny smoothly. Our office is closely monitoring how this policy alert is implemented in practice and will continue to update clients as more guidance becomes available.

If you have questions about how this policy change may affect your naturalization application, please contact our office at 703-348-1663 to schedule a consultation.

‍