JOHNSON CITY, N.Y. (WBNG) – In the long process of becoming a United States citizen, the final step is to take the oath of allegiance at a naturalization ceremony.
However, across upstate New York, hundreds have been left at a halt as the U.S. Citizenship and immigration services canceled these ceremonies indefinitely.
According to an employee at United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, “Unfortunately, as of right now, all future state ceremonies have been cancelled until further notice. This is beyond our control at the office level and at the USCIS level. There have been changes across the board and sadly, this is one of them.”
According to the Tompkins County clerk’s office, a message on the cancellations indicated that the government shutdown was a potential factor in the decision, even though the letters were sent after the government reopened.
Hussein Adams, Executive Director and CEO with the American Civic Association told 12 News, “There’s tremendous uncertainty as to how long this will be in effect and what type of new processes, if any, will be implemented moving forward. We know the federal government have been taking steps have complete control of everything that has to do with immigration in this country.”
Many are left unaware of what will happen in the New Year. Tompkins County officials said they were notified that their May 2026 ceremony and all others scheduled have been canceled.
The Broome County Executive’s office told 12 News a ceremony scheduled for October 29 was cancelled by the Department of Homeland Security. They added that there has been no word on when the ceremony would be rescheduled.
It is currently unclear how the ceremonies will be handled going forward.
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