Hundreds of would-be American citizens in upstate New York were left in limbo this week after the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) abruptly cancelled all naturalization ceremonies in seven counties, offering no immediate explanation for the sweeping move. The decision impacts applicants in Westchester, Rockland, Schenectady, Washington, Broome, Tompkins, and Onondaga counties, where scheduled oath ceremonies—often the culmination of years-long journeys toward citizenship—were suspended “until further notice” via email notification to county clerks.
No Clear Reason, No Timeline
USCIS later stated the cancellations came after the agency determined that certain local courts did not meet statutory requirements to conduct naturalization ceremonies under the Immigration and Nationality Act, prompting a shift from judicial to administrative ceremonies. Though USCIS promised that affected immigrants will have their ceremonies rescheduled, local officials said they received no alternative dates or centralized locations, and applicants remain uncertain about when—or where—they’ll officially become citizens.
Political and Community Response
The lack of advance notice and public explanation drew bipartisan criticism from state and federal lawmakers, who called on USCIS to reverse the decision and restore ceremonies immediately. Many expressed frustration at leaving new citizens in uncertainty, with clerks and advocacy groups noting the disruption to families and the denial of a celebrated civic milestone. Lawmakers are seeking clarity from federal officials amid broader scrutiny over shifting naturalization and voting registration policies at oath events.
As New York communities await answers, applicants—who have already completed every step of the citizenship process—are left waiting for the day they can finally pledge their allegiance and receive their hard-earned naturalization certificates.