Federal officials abruptly told Tompkins County to stop holding naturalization ceremonies, canceling all scheduled events with no timeline for resumption, according to The Ithaca Voice.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services cited vague “new guidance” and blamed the recent government shutdown — even though notices went out after it ended. At least seven other New York counties reportedly received similar instructions.
County officials say the change doesn’t stop people from becoming citizens, but it does end the public, local celebrations that have marked that milestone for decades. State leaders are pressing DHS for answers.
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