Archive · 19 Nov 2025
US Naturalization Ceremonies Cancelled in New York Amid Voter Registration Ban Lawsuit
Some people who were about to become US citizens had their ceremonies cancelled in New York.
No one knows why yet.
A lawsuit about voting might be connected.
A politician wants the ceremonies to start again.
USCIS cancelled naturalization ceremonies in upstate New York, affecting at least seven counties
No official reason was given for the cancellation, and there's no scheduled resumption
The cancellations come after a lawsuit challenging USCIS' ban on voter registration assistance during ceremonies
Republican Congressman Mike Lawler demanded the cancellation reversal, citing the emotional impact on aspiring citizens
New citizens must return their Green Card at the ceremony and can apply for a US passport and register to vote
- Who
- Aspiring US citizens in upstate New York, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Republican Congressman Mike Lawler
- What
- Cancelled naturalization ceremonies
- When
- Recently, with no scheduled resumption
- Where
- Upstate New York, including Westchester, Washington, Tompkins, Rockland, Broome, Schenectady, and Onondaga counties
- Why
- Unclear, potentially related to a lawsuit challenging a voter registration ban
USCIS
Republican Congressman Mike Lawler
Cancellation Decision
USCIS
USCIS cancelled ceremonies without explanation
Republican Congressman Mike Lawler
Lawler demanded reversal, calling it 'wrong'
- Ceremony Purpose
- Final step in becoming a US citizen, where applicants take the Oath of Allegiance
- Cancelled Counties
- Westchester, Washington, Tompkins, Rockland, Broome, Schenectady, Onondaga
- Lawsuit
- League of Women Voters v. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, challenging voter registration ban
- Congressman's Action
- Mike Lawler demanded reversal of cancellation, engaged with USCIS leadership