Noman Sabit: The Trump administration will no longer allow New York county courts or state supreme court justices to preside over citizenship ceremonies and has canceled many swearings-in already scheduled upstate.
In recent days, Nexstar’s WSYR has learned of naturalization ceremonies being canceled by the federal government without explanation across several New York counties.
Matthew Tragesser, spokesperson for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), offered the following explanation to WSYR:
“USCIS is dedicated to ensuring that all aspects of the naturalization process comply with federal law. After reviewing the jurisdiction of certain New York county courts under the Immigration and Nationality Act, we have determined that these courts do not meet the statutory requirements to conduct naturalization ceremonies. As a result, USCIS will transition from judicial to administrative ceremonies to ensure compliance with the law. Aliens scheduled for ceremonies at these courts will be rescheduled, and their naturalization process will continue.” Onondaga County Clerk Emily Bersani confirmed that the ceremony she had planned for Wednesday was canceled without specific reasoning. She hasn’t been informed about the status of ceremonies planned for 2026, including the annual New Americans Day event at the New York State Fair.
In general, a judge presides over New York ceremonies in a courthouse. USCIS conducts administrative ceremonies in regional offices.
It’s unclear what impact the change will have on naturalization ceremonies typically held in federal courtrooms, as is customary at the Federal Building in Downtown Syracuse.
The federal court’s Northern District of New York has multiple scheduled ceremonies still listed on its website. A spokesperson for the district said Wednesday the ceremonies were still being planned.
New York state Sen. Lea Webb (D) said she was “deeply troubled” by the cancellations.
“These milestones honor the commitment of families who have spent years legally navigating our immigration system to affirm their place in the country and state. The decision to halt or obstruct these events is unacceptable and undermines the process for citizenship and the values of fairness and opportunity for our communities,” Webb said. “We need the full restoration of naturalization ceremonies so that our state can continue to welcome new citizens with dignity and respect.”
State Sen. Chris Ryan (D) added that the move is “deeply concerning” and feels “unpatriotic.” In a lengthy response, Ryan said he had attended multiple naturalization ceremonies in 2025 in which he witnessed immigrants being “moved to tears” after earning their citizenship through hard work and while maneuvering the complex legal system. “While maintaining secure borders is important, discouraging immigrants from becoming lawful U.S. citizens runs counter to our nation’s values,” Ryan said. “I strongly urge the USCIS and the Federal Administration to reconsider their decision and resume naturalization ceremonies in Upstate New York.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James, in a letter to USCIS Director Joseph Edlow, demanded answers regarding the cancellations, which she said were reported in Broome, Onondaga, Rockland, Schenectady, Tompkins, Washington and Westchester counties. She further noted that the move had raised alarm among both Democratic and Republican state officials.
One such Republican, Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham, relayed his disappointment in a Facebook post, saying “the Trump administration’s handling of immigration matters continues to raise concerns.” He also called on the USCIS to restore and reschedule the canceled ceremonies.
“The individuals who were days away from taking their oath of citizenship deserve the chance to complete that journey,” Kraham wrote. “Any further delay means playing politics with people’s lives.”
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