USCIS Reintroduces Neighborhood Investigations for Naturalization Applicants

On August 25, 2026, USCIS issued updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to further assess and verify the eligibility of naturalization applicants. The update reintroduces personal, or neighborhood, investigations under INA 335(a) and reinforces the verification of applicant information and documentation during the naturalization examination under INA 335(b).

Key points

• USCIS updated three chapters of the Policy Manual covering naturalization background checks and examinations.
• The affected sections are 12 USCIS-PM B.1, B.2, and B.3.
• Personal investigations, also called neighborhood investigations, are reintroduced under INA 335(a).
• USCIS reinforced the need to validate applicant information and documents during the naturalization examination under INA 335(b).
• The source does not specify an effective date, fees, or detailed procedural timelines.

Who is affected

Applicants for naturalization (N-400) and their attorneys are affected.

What to do