USCIS Policy Memorandum on Resuming Personal Investigations of Naturalization Applicants

USCIS announced in a Policy Memorandum (PM-602-0189) that it is resuming personal investigations of people applying for naturalization, in accordance with section 335(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). These personal investigations, also known as neighborhood investigations, cover the vicinity of an applicant’s place of residence and employment and include at least the 5-year period prior to the filing of the naturalization application. The purpose of the INA 335(a) investigation is to corroborate an applicant’s eligibility for naturalization, which includes scrutiny of their residency, good moral character, attachment to the U.S. Constitution, and disposition to the good order and happiness of the United States.