The Donald Trump administration announced Tuesday that it will begin interviewing neighbors and colleagues of some immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship, reinstating a practice that has not been used since the George H.W. Bush administration.

In a policy memo from the Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) agency dated August 22, but Published Tuesday, the agency indicated it would end a decades-old exemption from the requirement for such personal inquiries as a condition for naturalization.

While the Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA) of 1965 requires such neighborhood checks, the U.S. government has not enforced them since the 1990s. Instead, U.S. officials have turned to the FBI to conduct background checks.

The neighborhood checks would involve on-site investigations of applicants by USCIS officers, which could include interviews with the applicants’ neighbors and coworkers.

The government investigations would be conducted to determine whether applicants meet the requirements for U.S. citizenship, which include demonstrating good moral character, abiding by the U.S. Constitution, and being “well disposed to contribute to the good order and happiness of the United States.”

To qualify for U.S. citizenship, applicants generally must have lived in the United States for three to five years as lawful permanent residents.

In addition, they must have no serious criminal record and pass a civics and English language test.

USCIS may request information from the alien seeking naturalization to support its decision on whether to conduct a neighborhood investigation, such as testimonial letters from neighbors, employers, coworkers, and business associates who know the alien and can provide substantiated information about him or her.including any of the requirements for naturalization.

The memo says the agency will encourage applicants to proactively submit these letters and will consider the testimonies as part of its decision to conduct in-person checks of the applicant's workplace and home surroundings.

This change is the latest move by the Trump administration to add requirements or steps to the legal immigration process.

Among the most recent changes, USCIS said in August that it would more closely examine the “good moral character” requirement for U.S. citizenship and investigate the “un-American” views and activities of those applying for green cards, work permits, and other immigration benefits.

CBS News previously reported on the decision to reinstate the neighborhood checks.