• The Trump administration is reviving “neighborhood checks” to vet immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship.
• The decades-old practice had been waived since 1991 in favor of FBI background checks.
• Supporters call it a safeguard against fraud, while critics warn it will intimidate immigrants.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (TDR) — The Trump administration is reinstating long-dormant “neighborhood checks” to scrutinize immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship, reviving a practice that has not been widely used since 1991, according to a government memo obtained by CBS News.

Revival of Neighborhood Investigations

The new policy, issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), directs officers to decide on a case-by-case basis whether applicants should undergo neighborhood investigations. These probes could include interviews with neighbors, coworkers, and employers to verify whether applicants meet the requirements for naturalization, including “good moral character” and adherence to the Constitution.

Applicants must typically live in the United States for three or five years as legal permanent residents, hold no serious criminal convictions, and pass civics and English tests. Until now, the government has largely relied on FBI background checks, not neighborhood interviews, to determine eligibility.

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The memo terminates the longstanding “general waiver” of the practice. It also encourages applicants to proactively submit testimonial letters from their communities to avoid additional scrutiny. Failure to do so, USCIS warned, could lead to an investigation and “impact” applicants’ ability to prove they qualify for citizenship.

Trump’s Immigration Tightening

The move reflects the Trump administration’s broader campaign to tighten the legal immigration system alongside its high-profile crackdowns on illegal immigration. While Trump and his allies frequently tout efforts to expand arrests and deportations, less publicized actions have included freezing refugee admissions, ending Biden-era leniencies, and adding new vetting layers for green cards and citizenship.

In August, USCIS announced it would intensify scrutiny of the “good moral character” standard and investigate “anti-American” affiliations of applicants seeking permanent residency or other immigration benefits.

USCIS Director Joe Edlow defended the change, saying it restores seriousness to the naturalization process. “Americans should be comforted knowing that USCIS is ensuring applicants are properly vetted,” he said. “Only the most qualified immigrants should receive American citizenship.”

Critics Warn of Intimidation

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Immigration advocates reacted sharply, calling the policy a calculated attempt to discourage legal immigrants from applying. Doris Meissner, who oversaw the Immigration and Naturalization Service under President Bill Clinton, said the checks were abandoned decades ago because they were labor intensive and rarely provided useful information.

“It sounds to me like the idea is to create a more intimidating atmosphere that discourages people from pursuing naturalization,” Meissner said. She emphasized that existing background checks already safeguard the system against bad actors. “It was viewed as one of those anachronistic processes,” she added.

Civil rights groups have raised concerns that neighborhood checks could disproportionately affect minority communities, where cultural misunderstandings and language barriers may skew testimonies. Others warn it could lead to racial profiling and selective enforcement.

Historical Context and Political Stakes

The practice of neighborhood investigations dates back to early 20th-century naturalization procedures, when local testimonials were considered essential to proving character. By the 1990s, however, the federal government concluded they were inefficient and redundant given modern investigative tools.

The decision to reinstate them is being seen as a symbolic effort by Trump to underscore his pledge of restoring “law and order” to the immigration system. It comes at a moment when his administration is also facing backlash over separate policies, including steep tariffs and aggressive deportation raids.

For immigrants navigating the process, the effect could be chilling. Testimonial letters requested from neighbors and employers may feel burdensome, and refusals could trigger broader investigations. Critics argue that such measures risk discouraging even qualified permanent residents from seeking citizenship.

Supporters counter that neighborhood checks reinforce accountability. Former Republican Senate candidate Peter Lumaj praised the policy, saying “good moral character” is too often overlooked in the process. “Citizenship should not be a handout,” he said. “It’s a privilege that must be earned.”

What Happens Next

The rollout of neighborhood checks is expected to face legal challenges, especially if cases arise where applicants are denied citizenship based on testimony from neighbors or employers. Lawyers predict lawsuits testing whether the policy violates due process or unfairly burdens lawful residents.

At the same time, immigration hardliners in Congress are likely to applaud the move, arguing it reestablishes rigorous standards that had been eroded. Whether the courts ultimately uphold or strike down the practice could shape the contours of U.S. naturalization policy for years.

Will neighborhood checks safeguard citizenship integrity — or create a chilling new barrier for lawful immigrants seeking to become Americans?

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