Bill > S3568

This bill, titled the "Naturalization and Oath Ceremony Protection Act," amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to guarantee that individuals whose applications for U.S. citizenship (naturalization) have been approved have the right to complete the process by attending a ceremony, taking the oath of allegiance, and receiving their certificate of citizenship. The Secretary of Homeland Security can only prevent someone from participating in the ceremony if, after approval but before the oath, it's determined with specific, factual evidence that the person is ineligible for citizenship or obtained approval through fraud or misrepresentation, with procedural protections for the applicant including written notice and an opportunity to respond. The bill explicitly prohibits excluding applicants based on nationality, country of origin, or inclusion in broad, unindividualized reviews or policies, though an exception exists for extraordinary national security threats, allowing a temporary postponement of the oath with specific notice. Any denial or postponement of a ceremony is considered a final agency action that can be reviewed by a court, and if an applicant successfully challenges a denial, their ceremony must be promptly rescheduled, and they may be eligible for attorney fees. Furthermore, any policies affecting naturalization ceremonies must be publicly published in the Federal Register and cannot be waived by informal means.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3568/all-info