The Trump administration has announced plans to reinstate “neighborhood checks” as part of the U.S. citizenship application process, a measure aimed at verifying applicants’ moral character through interviews with neighbors and employers. The policy, described in a government memo obtained by CBS News, marks the resumption of a practice suspended for over three decades. Under the revised procedure, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officials will conduct on-the-ground investigations to assess whether applicants meet requirements such as adherence to the U.S. Constitution and “good moral character.” The method, mandated by the 1965 Immigration and Naturalization Act, had not been enforced since the 1990s, with background checks previously handled by the FBI. Joseph Edlow, director of USCIS, stated the change would “enhance statutorily required investigations” to ensure compliance with congressional intent. The administration has faced scrutiny over its broader efforts to tighten immigration protocols, including restrictions on student visas and diversity lottery requirements.
