Amid Trump Attacks on Naturalization Ceremonies and Process, Senator Markey Introduces Legislation to Amend Immigration and Nationality Act

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Washington (December 18, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today introduced theNaturalization and Oath Ceremony Protection Act, legislation that would amend theImmigration and Nationality Act of 1952to ensure that individuals who have gone through the naturalization process and received approval to become U.S. citizens are not denied their naturalization ceremony and oath-taking. This legislation is endorsed by Project Citizenship.
TheNaturalization and Oath Ceremony Protection Actresponds to the Trump administration’s latest anti-immigrant attacks. Two weeks ago, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) abruptly canceled all naturalization and oath ceremonies for citizenship applicants from 19 so-called high-risk countries, including preventing four immigrants who had gone through all but the final step of the naturalization process from attending their naturalization ceremony at Faneuil Hall in Boston.
“Becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen is not easy and involves an application, background checks, passing English and civics tests, and an interview,”said Senator Markey. “For those who get over those high hurdles, the naturalization and oath-taking ceremony represents an enormous achievement and the final step in the path to making America their home. The Trump administration has no right to deny it to those who have followed the rules, done the work, and been approved for citizenship. MyNaturalization and Oath Ceremony Protection Actensures that those who earned the right to this meaningful milestone cannot have it arbitrarily taken away from them.”
“I am grateful for Senator Markey’s leadership and proud to support the Naturalization and Oath Ceremony Protection Act,”said Gail Breslow, Executive Director of Project Citizenship. “No applicant for naturalization should be prevented from taking the oath of allegiance because of their nationality. This legislation will ensure that immigrants who have been thoroughly vetted and approved for U.S. citizenship are able to naturalize without delay, irrespective of their place of birth.”
Specifically, theNaturalization and Oath Ceremony Protection Actwould:
Senator Markey continues his efforts to hold the Trump administration accountable for its illegal violations of people’s constitutional rights, and gross weaponization of immigration and customs enforcement.
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