USCIS Policy Update for Naturalization/Neighborhood Checks

USCIS has bolstered its Good Moral Character Requirement, as published in Policy Memo 602-0189

This policy states that USCIS recommends that any applicant submit documents demonstrating his/her good moral character at the time of filing the Application for Naturalization. This could include notarized letters from friends, neighbors, religious community members/leaders, and/or business associates who verify that they know the applicant to be a person of good moral character and how they know this to be true. (Sample Letter Included Below)

Failure to do so may result in USCIS conducting neighborhood checks, or checks with the applicant’s current and previous business associates to verify his/her good moral character and eligibility for naturalization. In other circumstances, USCIS may then submit a Request for Evidence for the applicant to demonstrate that he/she meets the Good Moral Character Requirement.

Neighborhood Checks may include USCIS officers going to the area where the applicant lives, or to their current or former places of employment, to ask personal questions about the applicant to verify his/her eligibility for naturalization, good moral character, and attachment to the constitution.