Trump Admin Making Major Change to US Citizenship Application Process

The Trump administration is reported to be making another change to the way immigrants applying for United States citizenship are scrutinized, using a long-unused process. A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memo first obtained by CBS News, and later confirmed by the department to Newsweek, showed that "neighborhood checks" would be brought back into use by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). "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," USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow, in a statement to Newsweek, in part. Why It Matters President Donald Trump and his Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, have been making various changes to the immigration system since January, stating that these are necessary to ensure national security is maintained and illegal immigration is halted. Immigration advocates have warned that some stricter measures put up unnecessary barriers to legal status for those who have been living within U.S. law for decades. Naturalization ceremony Spectators clap during a naturalization ceremony for new U.S. citizens at Seattle Center on July 4, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. David Ryder/Getty Images What To Know The policy memo, dated August 22, 2025, outlines the return of neighborhood investigations for individuals applying for U.S. citizenship or naturalization. The step has essentially been unused since 1991. In the memo, USCIS states that these checks are necessary to fully determine an immigrant's eligibility for citizenship, including where they have lived over the previous five years, their "good moral character"—another recently emphasized part of the process—and adherence to the U.S. Constitution. USCIS said it was using its authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to restart neighborhood checks for all immigrants applying for citizenship, unless a waiver is granted. Read more Immigration ICE Raids Loom Over Mass US Naturalization Ceremony Kilmar Abrego Garcia Asks Judge To Stop Bondi and Noem From Attacking Him Spouse of DACA Recipient Detained by ICE—'We Will Never Get Back That Time' New Data Shows Loss of Student Visa Holders Will Cost US Billions The memo said USCIS may request information from applicants, including testimonies from neighbors, employers, co-workers, and business associates who could back up their application. The agency said preemptively submitting such documentation as part of an application may help move the case along. USCIS has also implemented other vetting policies in recent weeks, including checking for "anti-Americanism" when reviewing all immigration benefits and checking social media profiles. What People Are Saying USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow, in a statement to Newsweek: "USCIS is working to ensure that only the most qualified applicants receive American citizenship. 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. "Americans should be comforted knowing that USCIS is taking seriously it's responsibility to ensure aliens are being properly vetted and are of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well-disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States." What's Next USCIS said its policy manual, which guides all its work, would be updated accordingly to reflect the change. For more information, visit us at https://www.beverlyhillsimmigrationlaw.com/.