Trump administration brings back program not used for 30 years to screen for possible citizenship
Trump administration to resume ‘neighborhood investigations’ for citizenship applicants
- The Trump administration plans to reintroduce interviews with neighbors and colleagues for US citizenship applications, a practice not used for three decades.
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) stated these 'neighborhood investigations' will corroborate an applicant's eligibility, residency, good moral character, and attachment to the US Constitution.
- Applicants are encouraged to submit testimonials, with USCIS director Joseph Edlow asserting the measure ensures proper vetting of individuals.
- Critics, including a former official from USCIS's predecessor agency, suggest the policy aims to intimidate and discourage naturalization, noting its historical inefficiency.
- This move is part of wider Trump administration efforts to impose new requirements on legal immigrants, including increased scrutiny of 'good moral character' and 'anti-American' activity, alongside expanded social media surveillance for visa applicants.