Trump’s (R) Decision to Suspend Naturalization Ceremonies, is leaving Residents across the U.S. in an Unusual position, now Stuck in Limbo after they were on the verge of gaining U.S. Citizenship. Critics say the Pause is the Trump Administration’s latest form of Collective Punishment for Migrants, who have seen their Hopes of Citizenship Dashed, following the deadly Shooting of a National Guard Member in Washington, D.C.
On Thanksgiving, Trump said He would “permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries” in Response to the Shooting. The next week, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Suspended Naturalization Ceremonies for Citizens of the 19 Countries covered by the Travel Ban. It’s a List that’s since grown, as Trump in December 2025, Expanded the List to 39 Countries.
In some Cases, Immigrants have already Passed the Citizenship Test, only to be Blocked from taking the Oath that makes their Naturalization Official. “People are just somewhat confused and concerned that, although they sort of went through the process, with the exception of the actual ceremony, that now at the eleventh hour, on the ninth inning they’re going to be disqualified and not allowed to be officially sworn in,” Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY, 13th District) said.
Espaillat, who is a Naturalized Citizen Himself, said His Office has been flooded by those Dealing with the Uncertainty. “They’re in limbo and I’m sure there’s a lot of stress. And they may feel they are Americans, but in actuality, they’re not, until they take that oath.” The U.S. typically Naturalizes about 800,000 New Citizens per year, the bulk of which are from Mexico, India and the Philippines.
“Naturalization candidates have been pulled from their scheduled citizenship ceremonies. I know this to be true because it happened to my constituents, who have reached out to my office,” Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) said on the Floor this week. “They are rightfully upset that the Administration has stopped them—individuals who are already approved for citizenship—from taking their oath of allegiance to this country.”
The Trump Administration has said the move is needed to thoroughly Vet Immigrants before they become U.S. Citizens. “USCIS has paused all adjudications for aliens from high-risk countries while USCIS works to ensure that all aliens from these countries are vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible. The pause will allow for a comprehensive examination of all pending benefit requests for aliens from the designated high-risk countries,” a DHS Spokesperson said in a Statement.
“The safety of the American people always come first.” But Immigration Advocates say the Claim simply doesn’t make Sense, as many Prospective Citizens have been in the U.S. for years, if not Decades, and have been Vetted at every turn. “They haven’t committed a crime, because otherwise they, you know, wouldn’t have been eligible for citizenship anyway. They have then submitted their application for naturalization, paid [the fee], found to be eligible because they took the citizenship test and the language test and passed everything,” said Shev Dalal-Dheini.
“They were at the final stage of, you know, they are going to swear the oath of allegiance to the United States, and they are having the rug pulled out under them. So the rationale that the Trump administration is doing this because of security and vetting concerns doesn’t hold up. They have been vetted numerous times throughout various administrations, by multiple different government entities.” The Trump Administration has been Under Pressure from Congress to Resume the Ceremonies.
Even though those Not on the List of Impacted Countries are Fearful to move forward. There have been Reports of some Residents who are from Countries that are Not on the Travel Ban List. who have had their Appointments Canceled, and because other Migrants have been Arrested after Immigration Court Hearings, some are Fearful to make Appearances.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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