Officials in Tompkins County, New York, have received a surprising directive from federal immigration authorities to suspend all local naturalization ceremonies. This announcement impacts events that traditionally celebrate immigrants achieving U.S. citizenship, which usually take place throughout the year in Tompkins County and other regions of New York.
Rachel Graham, the Tompkins County Executive Deputy Clerk, reported that an email from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) arrived on Thursday, canceling all scheduled ceremonies in the county “until further notice.” The letter did not provide explicit reasoning but suggested the recent government shutdown may have influenced the decision, despite being sent post-shutdown.
Graham noted that clerks from at least seven other counties in New York have received similar notifications. While it’s unclear how widespread this directive is or whether it extends beyond New York, the cancellation does not seem to affect the naturalization process itself for immigrants waiting to become citizens.
There were three naturalization ceremonies tentatively planned for the upcoming year, all of which have now been scrapped, with no events left for this year. Graham expressed deep disappointment, stating, “This role that County Clerks have historically served has been one of the most important and fulfilling of our offices, and we are heartbroken by this update.”
Historically, the ceremonies have been significant community events, typically involving 20 to 30 participants taking the Oath of Allegiance. The ceremonies have not occurred since the pandemic, with required allegiance oaths being administered in USCIS offices, such as Syracuse.
New York State Assemblymember Anna Kelles expressed her surprise regarding the shift towards federal administrative ceremonies rather than traditional local events. She is collaborating with state and federal officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul and Senator Kristen Gillibrand, to determine the nature and duration of this sudden change.
Community organizations serving immigrants, such as No Mas Lagrimas/No More Tears, also reacted with concern. Operation efforts are continuing in other areas, including local food security initiatives, with events planned for food and toy drives in mid-November.
Despite this disheartening news for local celebrations of citizenship, the resilience of community organizations shines through as they remain focused on supporting their constituents, highlighting the continued importance of community solidarity in challenging times.