info@kasturilaw.com

Call Us Today

630-392-8101 | 630-392-8101
29 South Webster Street, Suite 370 Naperville, IL 60540

Call Us Today

630-392-8101 | 630-392-8101
info@kasturilaw.com

Most naturalization applicants expect U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to review Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, conduct background checks, and ask questions during an interview.

They may not expect the agency to look beyond the application and potentially seek information from people who know them.

That possibility deserves renewed attention. USCIS has ended its longstanding general waiver of neighborhood investigations for naturalization applicants. The agency can now decide on a case-by-case basis whether this additional investigation is warranted.

For applicants in Chicago and throughout Illinois, this does not mean a USCIS representative will automatically knock on a neighbor’s door.

It does mean preparing for naturalization should include thinking about what information outside the N-400 could say about the applicant.

What Is a Neighborhood Investigation?

Federal immigration law authorizes USCIS to conduct personal investigations before naturalization. These inquiries may extend beyond government records and the applicant’s own statements.

USCIS says it may seek information from neighbors, employers, coworkers, and business associates who know the applicant.

The agency can also ask the applicant to provide testimonial letters from people who can offer substantiated information relevant to naturalization eligibility.

USCIS will decide whether to conduct or waive an investigation after reviewing the evidence available in the individual case.

N-400 Applicant Guide

Why Could Information From Other People Matter?

Naturalization requires more than passing the English and civics tests. Applicants generally must demonstrate good moral character during the applicable statutory period and satisfy other eligibility requirements.

Outside information could matter if it raises a question about something contained in the application or relevant to those requirements.

The concern is not whether every neighbor or former employer has a favorable opinion of an applicant. Legal standards, not popularity, govern naturalization.

The issue is whether information USCIS obtains creates a factual or legal question that requires further examination.

That distinction is one reason applicants should understand their own histories before filing, rather than worrying simply because USCIS has renewed this investigative authority.

Should You Submit Testimonial Letters With Form N-400?

USCIS has indicated that proactively submitting testimonial evidence may help the agency decide whether to waive a neighborhood investigation.

That does not necessarily mean every applicant should begin collecting letters.

Evidence should serve a purpose in the individual case. Who provides a letter, what that person can actually attest to, and how the evidence relates to naturalization eligibility all matter. Submitting unnecessary or poorly considered material can complicate the record rather than clarify it.

Prepare for Questions Before They Become Problems

An applicant with a complicated immigration history, criminal or arrest history, prior inconsistencies, or another potential naturalization issue may have more to consider than someone with a straightforward case.

USCIS also states in the Form N-400 instructions that it may verify information applicants provide by contacting people and conducting physical site inspections.

Legal preparation can help identify which facts matter, what evidence may be appropriate, and how to address potential issues before the naturalization interview.

Shobhana Kasturi assists naturalization applicants in Chicago and throughout Illinois with evaluating N-400 eligibility and preparing for increased scrutiny.

Applicants can meet with her in person, speak by phone, or connect through Zoom, with 30-minute or 60-minute consultation options available through Kasturi Law.

Booking