The Trump administration has announced the return of so-called "neighborhood checks" as part of the process to become a naturalized American citizen.
USCIS said it would use its authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to restart the neighborhood checks for all immigrants applying for citizenship unless a waiver is granted.
The move is a major reversal of the practice that hasn't been used for three decades.
"Currently, USCIS generally waives the requirements for neighborhood investigations and has relied largely on biometric checks and criminal history checks performed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to obtain information related to the applicant’s good moral character and eligibility for naturalization," the memo states.
Neighborhood checks involve vetting the applicant's close personal or professional circle.
The agency said it will encourage applicants to proactively submit testimonial letters from those individuals, which will be used to consider whether in-person checks of their workplace or neighborhood are necessary.
"USCIS may request information from the alien seeking naturalization to inform its decision on conducting the neighborhood investigation such as testimonial letters from neighbors, employers, co-workers, and business associates who know the alien and can provide substantiated information about the alien, including any of the requirements for naturalization," the policy memo states. "If such evidence is not contained in the alien’s application for naturalization, USCIS may request that the alien submit such evidence."
The agency in the memo also states that these vetting checks are necessary to fully determine the immigrants' eligibility for citizenship, including where they have lived over the past five years, their "good moral character," adherence to the U.S. Constitution, and "disposition to the good order and happiness" of the country.
"Americans should be comforted knowing that USCIS is taking seriously its responsibility to ensure aliens are being properly vetted and are of good moral character," Edlow wrote on X.
NTD reached out to USCIS seeking comment, but did not receive an immediate response
The agency noted that from 1802 to 1981, naturalization petitioners were required to present two witnesses to testify to their qualifications for citizenship. But Congress in 1981 eliminated that requirement, saying instead that an applicant's character could be better determined by an investigation, including a neighborhood investigation, if necessary.
By 1991, neighborhood investigations were halted completely under the George H.W. Bush administration, according to USCIS.