What was intended to be a momentous occasion for numerous immigrants in Boston turned into a scene of confusion and heartbreak. Several hopefuls, prepared to take their final oath to become U.S. citizens at the historic Faneuil Hall, were abruptly informed that their ceremonies were canceled due to their country of origin.
This incident, confirmed by NBC Boston, affects individuals from 19 countries that the federal government has classified as “high-risk,” including Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti, Somalia, and Afghanistan.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a directive to halt all immigration and naturalization processes for nationals from these countries until further notice.
The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) also confirmed to NBC Boston that at least five individuals saw their oaths canceled in Boston, while another 40 who were in the process now face delays and complete uncertainty.
Elizabeth Sweet, the director of MIRA, criticized the action as “disrespectful, cruel, and arbitrary.” She noted that people are devastated and rightfully outraged.
The Response from Boston's Leadership
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu expressed strong disapproval, stating that it is “contemptible and deeply painful, especially in a place like Faneuil Hall, a cradle of liberty.”
An independent report by WGBH, a National Public Radio affiliate, confirmed that USCIS officials were inquiring about each immigrant's country of origin upon arrival at the ceremony. If an individual mentioned one of the restricted countries, they were removed and informed that their oath was canceled.
Gail Breslow, the director of Project Citizenship, recounted an incident where a Haitian client attended her ceremony because she did not receive the notification in time, only to be escorted out of line in front of others. “People are devastated and frightened. They didn’t cancel the entire ceremony, just those from certain countries,” she said.
Notices sent via the USCIS portal, as shown by the organization, provided no explanation or guidance, exacerbating the distress of those affected.
National Implications of the Suspension
While Boston has come to symbolize the human impact of this measure, the suspension is in effect nationwide.
According to reports from ABC News and the federal memorandum PM-602-0192, the Trump administration mandated a halt to all immigration adjudications, including naturalizations, residencies, and asylum cases, for citizens of the 19 countries listed in the new Proclamation 10949.
Among these countries is Cuba, placing thousands of Cubans in the U.S. in a precarious situation of delays, unexpected rescheduling, and increased scrutiny of their cases.
A Cuban Immigrant's Story of Fear
The story of Anyi Cabrales from Cuba, shared by Telemundo, illustrates the personal toll this policy is exerting beyond Boston. She received notification of her ceremony’s cancellation three hours before the oath. “Living like this, in fear, is overwhelming,” she stated.
Impact of the U.S. Citizenship Ceremony Suspension
What prompted the cancellation of citizenship ceremonies for certain immigrants?
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) canceled ceremonies for immigrants from 19 high-risk countries due to a directive to suspend all immigration and naturalization processes for those nationals.
Which countries are affected by the new policy?
The affected countries include Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti, Somalia, Afghanistan, and others labeled as high-risk by the federal government.
How has this policy impacted immigrants in Boston specifically?
In Boston, at least five immigrants had their oaths canceled, and around 40 others are now facing delays and uncertainty, as confirmed by the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA).
What has been the reaction from local authorities and advocacy groups?
Local authorities, like Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and advocacy groups have condemned the measure as cruel and arbitrary, emphasizing the deep pain and outrage it has caused among affected communities.