On Tuesday, August 26, the Trump Administration issued a policy memorandum reinstating a practice that allows immigration officers to interview the neighbors and colleagues of immigrants applying for citizenship. This move ends a longstanding waiver of a 1965 Immigration and Naturalization Act requirement for personal investigations, something the federal government has not enforced since the early 1990s. Instead, background checks have typically been conducted by the FBI.
In addition, USCIS said it may start asking naturalization applicants to provide letters of recommendation from neighbors, employers, co-workers, or business associates. These letters should contain verifiable information about the applicant and may be used to decide whether to conduct in-person visits to the applicant’s home or workplace. Applicants will be encouraged to submit such testimonials voluntarily.
What does this mean for immigrants?
This change could introduce more uncertainty and delays in the naturalization process. Applicants may now face additional scrutiny not just from government agencies but also from their personal and professional networks.
Contact An Immigration Lawyer Today
Reeves Immigration Law Group has decades of experience in handling visas and asylum applications and has successfully handled some of the most complex cases. Our team of immigration visa attorneys understands your concerns and will work with you to provide a personalized approach to meet your immigration needs.
Contact us today to speak with one of our immigration attorneys regarding recent legislative changes, and for help with setting up your case for success.
