Local leaders are calling for the quick rescheduling of a Binghamton naturalization ceremony canceled by the federal government.
City of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham said the American Civic Association was notified by the federal government “in recent weeks” that the planned ceremony would not take place. The order was one of many received by municipalities across New York from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
American Civic Association Executive Director and CEO Hussein O. Adams said on Nov. 19 the ACA is “appalled” by the cancellations.
The decision “halts the dream of so many eligible nationals that have applied and have been approved by USCIS to become New Americans,” Adams said.
Binghamton-area leaders call for reinstating ceremonies
City of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham said in a Nov. 18 statement the decision has “left dozens of community members and their families in limbo” as they wait for U.S. citizenship.
Kraham called the cancellations “troubling,” and said “the Trump administration’s handling of immigration matters continues to raise concerns.”
Naturalization ceremonies are “a snapshot of America at its best,” he said, and called on the federal government to reschedule the Binghamton ceremony.
“Now that the government shutdown is over, I’m calling on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to work quickly to reschedule our community’s naturalization ceremony,” Kraham said. “The individuals who were days away from taking their oath of citizenship deserve the chance to complete that journey. Any further delay means playing politics with people’s lives.”
New York State Senator Lea Webb denounced the cancellations in a statement posted on Facebook Nov. 18, stating she was “deeply troubled” by the decision and calling for the “full restoration” of the ceremonies.
“These milestones honor the commitment of families who have spent years legally navigating our immigration system to affirm their place in the country and state,” Webb said. “The decision to halt or obstruct these events is unacceptable and undermines the process for citizenship and the values of fairness and opportunity for our communities.”
“We urge the Federal Government to rescind this decision that is alleged to be based on jurisdictional issues,” Adams said. “There are many people now waiting to be rescheduled to other jurisdictions outside of their residences.”
New York naturalization ceremonies canceled. What we know
The USA Today Network reported cancellations in Westchester and Rockland counties. Local media reports also show Schenectady, Washington, Tompkins and Onondaga counties received orders from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
In a statement to the USA TODAY Network, a spokesman for that federal agency said it had reviewed its legal standards and concluded that courts in certain New York counties were ineligible to conduct naturalization ceremonies. He said those duties will resume through an administrative process but gave no indication when.
“USCIS will transition from judicial to administrative ceremonies to ensure compliance with the law,” spokesman Matthew Tragesser said. “Aliens scheduled for ceremonies at these courts will be rescheduled, and their naturalization process will continue.”
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton ACA ‘appalled’ by naturalization ceremony cancellations across New York
Reporting by Sunshyne Lynch and Chris McKenna, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
