New citizenship rules in 2025 and 2026: what USCIS now looks at

This page explains USCIS policy changes from 2025 and 2026. It is general information, not legal advice. For the basic rules, see Can I become a US citizen? Check these warning signs first.

Will USCIS check my neighborhood?

It may. On August 22, 2025, USCIS announced it was bringing back neighborhood investigations, which it had mostly stopped doing around 1991. On August 25, 2026, USCIS wrote the rules into its Policy Manual. USCIS says it has already done a number of these investigations.

Here is how it works under the policy:

• Unless USCIS waives it, a neighborhood investigation applies to every applicant. It usually happens before your interview, but an officer can ask for one any time before you take the oath.
• Who they may talk to: neighbors, landlords, people at local businesses, homeowner association staff, and at work your supervisors, managers, coworkers or office staff. If you run a business, they may talk with partners, employees, clients or customers.
• What they may ask about: your family, marriages and children; your social life and groups; your jobs and businesses; money you owe; school; your reputation; any criminal history; military service; travel and time abroad; where you have lived; whether you are truthful; and your attitude toward the United States and the Constitution.
• The investigator must say they work for USCIS and explain why they are asking. Testimony is supposed to be based on what the person knows firsthand, not rumor or bias.
• If you have no stable address, for example you live in a shelter, USCIS may use shelter or agency records or letters from a social worker, shelter manager or employer instead of neighbors.
• If USCIS plans to deny you because of something it learned, it must tell you and give you a chance to respond.

We know this can feel scary. Remember what the visit is for: to check what you wrote is true. Honest, complete answers on your form are your best protection.

If someone at your door says they are from USCIS and asks for money or personal details, be careful. See How to spot fake immigration agents and scam calls.

Can I avoid a visit?

Maybe. USCIS may waive the investigation, and it says sending character reference letters can help it decide to do that.

• Send at least two letters with your N-400.
• Letters should come from U.S. citizens who know you personally, such as neighbors, employers, coworkers or business contacts. USCIS does not consider letters from family or relatives.
• Each letter should include the writer's full name, address, phone and email, and proof of their citizenship or status; how they know you and for how long; real examples of your honesty and how you help your community; and a clear statement about your moral character and your attitude toward the United States and the Constitution.

The letters are optional. Not sending them does not, by itself, mean you lack good moral character. But USCIS says a failure or refusal to send them may play a part in its decision to do a visit. See How to write a character reference letter for a citizenship case.

How does USCIS judge good moral character now?

Since August 15, 2025, USCIS tells officers to look at the whole person, not just whether you have a record. You must show you are a person of good moral character, and officers weigh both sides.

What counts in your favor:

• Lasting involvement in your community
• Caring for and supporting your family
• School and training
• Steady, lawful work
• How long you have lived here lawfully
• Paying your taxes and handling money responsibly

What gets a closer look:

• The permanent and time limited bars in the law, such as an aggravated felony, drug offenses, or two or more DUIs
• Things that may be legal but that USCIS sees as falling short of how average citizens behave, such as reckless or repeated traffic tickets, or harassment or aggressive solicitation

Signs you have changed: finishing probation, catching up on child support, paying back taxes or benefit overpayments, mentoring others, and letters from people who know you.

What changed about voting and saying you are a citizen?

Since August 29, 2025, if USCIS finds you falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen for any reason, including on a voter registration form, or that you voted when you were not allowed to, it will issue a Notice to Appear in immigration court, unless a narrow legal exception applies. After that, USCIS generally denies the citizenship application.

If you ever registered to vote or voted, even by mistake, talk to an immigration attorney before you apply. USCIS says voting in a local election does not make you ineligible if the law there allowed you to vote.

Is the civics test harder?

Yes. If you filed on or after October 20, 2025, you take the 2025 civics test:

• 128 possible questions to study (up from 100)
• The officer asks up to 20 (up from 10)
• You need 12 right answers to pass (up from 6). The test stops once you get 12 right, or 9 wrong.

If you are 65 or older and have had your green card for 20 years, you still get a shorter test: 10 questions from a special list of 20, and 6 right answers to pass. If you filed before October 20, 2025, you take the older 2008 test. You get two chances to pass. See How to study for the citizenship civics and English test.

What about holds on cases from certain countries?

In December 2025 and January 2026, USCIS put on hold pending applications from people born in, or citizens of, the 39 countries named in the 2025 travel ban proclamations. On August 24, 2026, a federal court in California blocked those holds and ordered USCIS to process the cases normally. In an alert dated August 28, 2026, USCIS said it disagrees but is following the order while the case continues. Court orders can change, so check with a lawyer before you file.

If you are from one of those countries, talk to a lawyer about timing before you file. See Travel bans: which countries are affected.

Is anything else new?

• A higher fee is proposed, not final. A June 23, 2026 proposed rule would raise the N-400 fee to $1,330 on paper and $1,280 online and end the fee waiver and reduced fee. As of October 21, 2026, it was not final, and the Fee Schedule still shows $760, $710 and $380. See How much citizenship costs.
• Voter registration at oath ceremonies is back. Since August 31, 2026, nonpartisan nonprofit groups may again help new citizens register to vote right after an administrative oath ceremony, when election offices are not there to do it.
• Taking citizenship away. On September 14, 2026, USCIS issued Policy Alert PA-2026-13 on when it refers cases to take away citizenship from people who got it unlawfully. It also says USCIS will check whether a naturalized citizen got citizenship lawfully when that citizen files a petition for a family member. See Can my US citizenship be taken away?
• Weekend and holiday deadlines. Starting October 23, 2026, if a paper filing deadline counted in days ends on a weekend or federal holiday, USCIS treats the filing as on time if it arrives by the end of the next business day (PA-2026-15). This helps with deadlines such as an appeal after a denial. See My citizenship application was denied.

What did not change?

The basic requirements in the law are the same: 5 years with a green card (or 3 through marriage), continuous residence, 30 months inside the U.S. (or 18), good moral character, English and civics, and support for the Constitution. What changed is how closely USCIS checks them.

Who can help?

These are free or low cost Bay Area offices and nonprofits. Outside the Bay Area, use the state's map of free immigration legal services. Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto, for low income San Mateo and Santa Clara County residents: 650-326-6440. Walk in help Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1861 Bay Road.
• Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, Redwood City: free citizenship workshop and classes. Register at (650) 780-7530.
• More groups: Free or low cost immigration legal help in the Bay Area

Is there a checklist I can print?

Keep going. The door to citizenship is still open, and good preparation is on your side.