Update on Neighborhood Investigations for Naturalization Applicants: USCIS visits homes of applicants

In August 2025, USCIS released a policy memorandum stating that it would resume “neighborhood investigations” of naturalization applicants, a policy that has been dormant since 1991. These neighborhood investigations include “the vicinity of [an applicant’s] place of residence and employ and include at least the 5-year period prior to the filing of the [] naturalization application.” Consistent with this memorandum, USCIS has begun visiting naturalization applicants at their homes without notice. Our office has heard reports of these visits focusing heavily on the legitimacy of an applicant’s marriage to a US citizen, and we have also heard of USCIS agents conducting home visits for permanent resident applicants. 

We remind naturalization applicants of their right to have their attorney present for any questioning by USCIS. Applicants must assert that right to USCIS if they wish to pause the neighborhood investigation until their attorney is present. Applicants should request the agents’ names, what agency they are from, and contact information so that their attorney may contact the agents to arrange a meeting. 

For more information on the memorandum, see our previous publication here.