The Impact Of COVID-19 On Naturalization

Prior to COVID-19, many immigrants had applied to become naturalized citizens.  They completed the process, and attended interviews.

They were told their applications were granted.  They were waiting for their swearing-in ceremony to be scheduled.

They’re still waiting.

Starting in early March, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services closed their offices to the public due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

In early June, offices began slowly reopening.  The processing of citizenship applications and swearing-in ceremonies have recommenced.

Yet, like most things immigration, not without controversy.

The Coronavirus Aftermath:
Citizenship On The Rocks

Some reports estimate, before the government shutdown, more than 125,000 would-be new Americans had fully completed the naturalization process, except for the oath of allegiance ceremony.

In addition, USCIS statistics show that prior to the pandemic, nearly 60,000 new citizens were being sworn in each month.

Simply stated, that’s a ton of people on hold.  Catching up will not be an easy task.

So what is the USCIS plan to get the ball rolling again?

In Massachusetts, one of the first states to rebegin the swearing in process, immigration offices plan to swear in 80 to 200 new citizens per day.

In mid-July, the Boston federal courts will start to chip in. They plan to hold four ceremonies each day, with up to 25 people in each group.

Some USCIS offices have been hosting small naturalization oath ceremonies in their parking lots and public spaces.

Nationwide, in the first week of the government office reopenings, about 2,000 new citizens were sworn in.

More recently, the government has implemented drive-through oath ceremonies across the country, similar to buying food from a fast-food restaurant.

You drive in, roll down your window, take the oath, and leave as a new citizen without ever getting out of your car. The process takes less than 30 minutes.

Not all offices can accommodate such measures.

What Delayed Naturalization Means

Still, 12 weeks of closure created an enormous backlog of stalled naturalization applications.

For many would-be U.S. citizens, this means lost opportunities.

Among the most common:

First, Missed Job Vacancies

For members of certain cultural groups, government offices have long offered a chance to develop long-term careers, thanks in part to Equal Opportunity laws.

The longer swearing-in ceremonies are delayed, the longer would-be citizens remain unable to apply for government employment openings.

Second, Immigration Benefits For Family Members

Under our visa system, there are certain family members that only a U.S. citizen can sponsor for permanent residency.

For instance, children who are already permanent residents automatically become U.S. citizens if a parent naturalizes before they turn 18.  The swearing-in delay could cause these children to “age out” – that means, to turn 18 during the delay and lose their automatic path to citizenship.

Third, Inability To Vote In The Fall

Not being able to vote has caused the greatest outcry from immigration advocates.  They believe the majority of new citizens would cast ballots for pro-immigration  candidates.

In their perspective, the delays are a deliberate attempt to lock these new voters out of the upcoming election.

This view, in part, is fueled by an increasing waiting time for naturalization applications to move from submission to decision, leading to a growing backlog of citizenship cases at USCIS offices.

They assert, from March to September, over 420,000 individuals born in other countries could have gained the right to vote in November.  Because they will not qualify to register on time to participate, their voices will be excluded.

The Push For Online Citizenship
Oath Ceremonies

The primary problem, according to USCIS, is the ongoing risk of virus transmission in indoor gatherings.

And the need to ensure proper social distancing precautions.

Immigrant advocates are critical of this slow catch-up process.  They argue the government can hold oath ceremonies online.

In response, government officials point out that under Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations, immigrants must appear in person to take the Oath of Allegiance.

But if that is the sole hang-up for such a solution, then why aren’t those Congressional members, who support online ceremonies, pushing to modify the Federal Code?

By Carlos Batara

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