Republican Congressman Mike Lawler whose New York 17th Congressional District includes part of Westchester as well as Rockland said on Nov. 21 that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will reverse its recent cancellation of naturalization ceremonies in Rockland and Westchester counties and across New York state. He did not specify precisely when the naturalization ceremonies will resume.
Westchester County officials had urged the Trump administration to reverse a decision it made to end naturalization ceremonies in the county during which immigrants become American citizens. The ceremonies had been taking place for many years in White Plains with USCIS working with the county clerk.
County Clerk Tim Idoni, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, State Sen. Shelley Mayer, County Legislator David Imamura and County Clerk-Elect Tom Roach were among those who got together at the County Office Building in White Plains and spoke out against what USCIS had done.
The Trump administration canceled the ceremonies that had been scheduled for August, October and November and notified Westchester that there would be no new ceremonies scheduled. The ending of citizenship ceremonies in Westchester meant that candidates for citizenship must travel to the federal building at 26 Federal Plaza in lower Manhattan to take their oath of allegiance and formally become a U.S. citizen. Trump’s immigration agents have been arresting for deportation immigrants who have gone to federal facilities in order to comply with required procedures to become citizens.
Jenkins said, “Idoni formally wrote to USCIS to express deep concern about the abrupt cancellation. The letter emphasized the significant impact that this decision will have on our county residents. That letter went to several people including myself, Congressmen Mike Lawler and Congressman George Latimer among others and both U.S. senators as well.”
Jenkins said that both Lawler and Latimer responded that they were working very hard to try to reverse what had been done.
Lawler said on Nov. 21 that the reversal decision came following his letter to USCIS Director Joseph Edlow and subsequent calls with Director Edlow. He said that additional guidance on the restoration of naturalization ceremonies will be forthcoming from USCIS.
“After raising this issue directly with USCIS and speaking to Director Edlow, I’m pleased to share that the agency will reverse its decision and allow naturalization ceremonies in Rockland and Westchester to resume immediately,” Lawler said. “Our communities are strengthened by the contributions of new citizens every single day.”
Lawler described the ceremonies as being “among the most moving and patriotic events I attend as a public official. Thank you to USCIS and the director for taking corrective action. For so many new Americans, including my own wife, this moment represents years of hard work, sacrifice, and an unwavering belief in the American Dream. To cancel these ceremonies without warning was unacceptable, and I’m glad USCIS acted quickly to fix it.”
