USCIS Reinstates Neighborhood Investigations for Naturalization Applicants Under INA 335(a)

Key Point 

• In August 2026, USCIS updated its Policy Manual to formally incorporate neighborhood investigations into the naturalization process and provide additional implementation guidance.
• The update builds on USCIS’s August 2025 memorandum, which ended the agency’s longstanding general waiver of neighborhood investigations and resumed discretionary reviews under INA 335(a).

Naturalization Eligibility Review 

Effective Aug. 25, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its Policy Manual to formalize the use of neighborhood investigations as part of the naturalization process. The guidance builds on a policy memorandum issued in August 2025 that reinstated neighborhood investigations after decades of general waiver.

Under Section 335(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), USCIS may conduct personal, or “neighborhood,” investigations to help assess an applicant’s eligibility for U.S. citizenship. While these investigations were largely discontinued in the early 1990s as immigration authorities shifted toward criminal history and security screenings, USCIS has moved to resume their use as an adjudicative tool during the naturalization process.

Under the updated policy:

• USCIS may conduct neighborhood investigations as part of the naturalization adjudication process.
• Neighborhood investigations may include a review of an applicant’s residence, employment history and community reputation to help verify information and assess eligibility requirements.
• Applicants may voluntarily submit testimonial or character reference letters, preferably from U.S. citizens who are not family members.
• USCIS may consider these letters when determining whether to waive a neighborhood investigation in a particular case.
• Adjudicators may verify information provided in naturalization applications through interviews, document reviews and information obtained during investigations.
• USCIS may waive neighborhood investigations on a case-by-case basis or for certain categories of applicants.

Why the Change?

According to USCIS, neighborhood investigations may provide information that is not readily available through interviews, background checks or submitted documentation alone. The agency states that these investigations can assist officers in evaluating naturalization requirements, including good moral character and attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution.

The agency also noted that the policy aligns with broader efforts to strengthen screening and vetting procedures for immigration benefits and maintain the integrity of the naturalization process.

Don’t Miss an Update

At Envoy Global, we combine smart, friendly legal teams with smart, friendly technology to facilitate immigration for companies and the global talent they depend on. Our holistic, proactive immigration services are built for accuracy and efficiency, always putting people first.

Reach out today to learn how we can support your company’s immigration needs.