USCIS Policy Shift: ACH Debit for Fees, Neighborhood Checks Revived for Naturalization

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a new electronic payment option, ACH debit, for immigration fees. This initiative moves away from traditional paper payments like checks and money orders, aligning with governmental efforts to modernize and enhance efficiency in immigration processes.

In a significant policy shift, USCIS announced the resumption of neighborhood and workplace investigations for certain naturalization applicants. This longstanding practice, largely abandoned since the early 1990s due to advancements in fingerprinting technology for background checks, is being revived to increase the scrutiny of citizenship applications. These investigations will involve interviews with neighbors, employers, and coworkers, focusing on the five-year period before an applicant’s citizenship request.

USCIS Director Joseph Edlow stated that reinstating neighborhood checks is crucial for ensuring that only the most qualified individuals are granted U.S. citizenship. These investigations are meant to complement existing personal investigations, aligning with congressional intent outlined in the Immigration and Nationality Act. USCIS encourages applicants to submit testimonial letters from their community with their applications. In the absence of such documentation, a mandatory neighborhood check may be triggered, although agents can waive this requirement depending on the applicant’s materials.

Despite the announcement, USCIS has not specified when these new investigative standards will be fully implemented, indicating further guidance will soon be provided. The naturalization process in the United States is intricate, requiring applicants to first secure permanent residency through specific categories, like marriage to a U.S. citizen or certain employment visas. After obtaining a green card, applicants must wait a prescribed period before applying for citizenship, during which they must pass a civics exam and an English proficiency test, among other criteria.

The adjustments in naturalization procedures have raised concern among immigrant advocacy groups. Helena DaSilva Hughes from the Immigrants’ Assistance Center in New Bedford expressed apprehension that the reinstatement of neighborhood checks could deter eligible individuals from pursuing citizenship due to the process's increased complexity and perceived intrusiveness. Likewise, Damaris Velasquez, co-founder of Agencia ALPHA, highlighted potential deterrent effects of these measures. Her organization, assisting immigrants through the naturalization process, has observed a rise in inquiries from permanent residents eager to secure citizenship amid fears of deportation. Velasquez, who transitioned from undocumented status to citizenship, advises applicants on potential implications of the new requirements.

This policy update forms part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to impose additional constraints on the naturalization process. In August, USCIS officers were directed to adopt a more comprehensive approach in assessing applicants' "good moral character," factoring in adherence to societal norms rather than focusing solely on the absence of wrongdoing.

These developments are among various measures aimed at restructuring the immigration process in the United States. While USCIS has reiterated its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the immigration system, these changes have sparked debate over their impact on the accessibility and fairness of the path to citizenship.