Green card holders in America have one more reason to be friendlier and nicer to their neighbours. The US is making the screening and vetting process for foreigners applying for citizenship much more robust. USCIS is ending the general waiver of neighbourhood investigations to ensure that foreigners applying for naturalization meet statutory requirements fully.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) tweeted that it has strengthened screening and vetting of foreigners wanting citizenship by visiting neighborhoods to meet with neighbors and employers to verify their eligibility to be in America and their character.
Essentially, USCIS has restored the practice of neighbourhood investigations of potential new citizens to verify eligibility and protect the integrity of the Naturalization process. The green card holders are legally allowed to apply for US citizenship through the process of Naturalization.
Neighbourhood Investigation
The ‘Neighbourhood Investigation’ will include testimonial letters from neighbours, employers, co-workers, and business associates who know the foreigner and can provide substantiated information about the foreigner, including any of the requirements for naturalization.
USCIS generally waived the requirements for neighbourhood investigations and relied largely on biometric checks and criminal history checks performed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to obtain information related to the applicant’s good moral character and eligibility for naturalization.
These personal investigations, also known as neighbourhood investigations, cover the vicinity of a foreigner’s place of residence and employment and include at least the 5 years before the filing of the foreigner’s naturalization application.
USCIS retains discretionary authority to conduct or waive neighbourhood investigations on a case-by-case basis, contingent upon a review of existing record evidence. Section 335(a) of INA directs USCIS to conduct investigations of foreigners applying for naturalization unless waived by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Waiver of Neighbourhood Investigation
Neighbourhood Investigation may not be applicable for all green card holders or other immigrants filing for US citizenship.
Initially, USCIS will ask to furnish information about their co-workers, neighbours etc. Any failure or refusal to provide such evidence may lead to a neighbourhood investigation, which may impact the foreigner’s ability to establish their eligibility for naturalization. Proactively submitting this evidence can help USCIS decide if a waiver of a neighborhood investigation is warranted, potentially avoiding a Request for Evidence.