In a sudden policy shift following recent security incidents, the Trump administration has abruptly canceled naturalization ceremonies for immigrants from 19 countries previously subject to travel restrictions. This move has created profound uncertainty for thousands of legal permanent residents who had completed all requirements for citizenship.
Sanam, an Iranian immigrant residing in Oregon with her American husband, exemplifies this disruption. After a decade-long immigration process involving extensive paperwork, security vetting, and testing, her December 3rd oath ceremony was canceled without explanation just 48 hours beforehand. Later learning her birthplace in Iran triggered the cancellation, she described the experience as ‘heartbreaking’ and ‘draining,’ causing her to reconsider remaining in the United States.
The policy change emerged following the November 26th shooting incident in Washington DC, where an Afghan national attacked National Guard members. Administration officials cite national security concerns as justification for the intensified immigration measures, which include halting processing for applicants from affected countries at all stages—not just those awaiting final ceremonies.
Mario Bruzzone of the New York Immigration Coalition criticized the measures as effectively constituting an indefinite ban, arguing the administration is exploiting recent tragedies to escalate attacks on immigrant communities. He emphasized that affected individuals like Sanam had already undergone multi-layered security and health vetting processes spanning years.
The human impact extends beyond single cases. Jorge, a Venezuelan professional who obtained permanent residency through extraordinary ability criteria, faced similar last-minute ceremony cancellation. While supporting stricter immigration reviews generally, he expressed concern about law-abiding residents being ‘generalized’ alongside potentially problematic cases.
With approximately 132,000 Venezuelan-born residents in New York state alone according to coalition data, the policy affects substantial immigrant populations. The cancellations have created what Sanam’s husband characterized as ‘limbo state’ existence, where lives remain ‘at the mercy of government decisions’ based on rapidly implemented policy changes.