Onondaga County Courthouse
Credit: Mike Greenlar | Central Current

Federal officials earlier this month canceled a November 19 naturalization ceremony, according to Onondaga County Clerk Emily Essi. 

Across the state, at least seven counties received instructions from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to cancel naturalization ceremonies, the Albany Times-Union reported Tuesday. 

The ceremonies are full of emotion as family and friends cheer on their loved ones, according to Essi. 

“It’s one of my favorite parts of being county clerk,” she said. 

The ceremony was initially canceled on November 6, according to Essi. In an initial email, USCIS chalked the cancellation up to “unforeseen circumstances.” Essi was told that applicants’ naturalization ceremonies would be rescheduled and any additional information would be forthcoming. 

Onondaga County holds four naturalization ceremonies per year, said Essi, with around 25 to 40 people becoming citizens at each. She did not have a list of names or a number for who would be at the November 19 ceremony.

“After reviewing the jurisdiction of certain New York county courts under the Immigration and Nationality Act, we have determined that these courts do not meet the statutory requirements to conduct naturalization ceremonies,” said Matthew J. Tragesser in a statement to Central Current on Wednesday. “As a result, USCIS will transition from judicial to administrative ceremonies to ensure compliance with the law.” 

As of this story’s publication, Tragesser and USCIS did not respond to further questions about why the courts did not meet statutory requirements and whether those who would have attended would see delays in their naturalization. 

In Tompkins County, USCIS instructed the county clerk to cancel three ceremonies tentatively scheduled for next year, the Ithaca Voice reported. 

The decision by USCIS comes amidst President Donald J. Trump’s immigration crackdown, which is already leaving many naturalized citizens in fear. 

Naturalization ceremonies are the final step in a long road to becoming an American citizen. To be eligible for naturalization, one needs to be a lawful permanent resident for at least five years. There are forms to fill out, interviews to pass, and filing fees of up to $760 to pay. 

Once someone has passed the interview and had their forms approved, they are eligible to take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony. During the Oath, they swear to uphold the Constitution, bear arms for the United States and renounce all foreign powers, promising that they take the oath freely. That is the exact moment they become a citizen. 

“But based on the response today, it sounds like we won’t be doing them at the courthouse anymore,” said Essi, referring to the statement by USCIS. 

In a statement, Senator Chris Ryan called the decision “not only deeply concerning and unpatriotic but also not reflective of the principles established by our Constitution.”

Naturalization ceremonies at federal district courts will continue, said the clerk’s office for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York . There are two ceremonies scheduled in Syracuse for the rest of the year, according to the Northern District’s website. One is on Dec. 11, and the other on Dec. 18. 

District Court naturalization ceremonies generally take place twice per month in Syracuse. Between twenty and forty people usually become citizens at each one, according to the clerk’s office. 

The last naturalization ceremony at the federal court in Syracuse happened on September 11. Ceremonies in October and early November were canceled due to the government shutdown. 

Read more of Central Current’s coverage

Laura Robertson is a staff reporter covering Onondaga County. Prior to joining Central Current, she lived on the edge of the Bering Strait in Nome, Alaska, where she worked as a reporter for a year. She...