Shutdown Forces Rescheduling of U.S. Citizenship Ceremonies Nationwide

(UNITED STATES) Thousands of immigrants ready to take the Oath of Allegiance this week are facing fresh delays as the federal shutdown forced the cancellation of citizenship ceremonies across parts of the United States 🇺🇸. As of October 13, 2025, ceremonies that were on the calendar are being put on hold, with appointments to be rescheduled once the government fully reopens, according to agency notices sent to impacted applicants.

Officials confirmed that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices remain open during the funding lapse. The agency continues core work because it is largely funded by application fees rather than yearly congressional budgets. Even so, the shutdown is reshaping day-to-day operations: routine events, including some naturalization ceremonies and interviews, are being delayed while national security vetting and related functions receive priority.

Immediate impacts and local examples

The immediate impact is most visible in the nation’s capital. A naturalization ceremony set for October 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. has been canceled due to the shutdown. The ripple effects reach beyond the District.

• In Maryland, officials had planned oath events in both Baltimore and Greenbelt this month.
  • Ceremonies that already took place: October 2 (Baltimore) and October 9 (Greenbelt).
  • A planned event: October 16 (Baltimore) — applicants for this date should watch for confirmation or postponement notices.
• In Washington, D.C., people assigned to the October 14 event should expect instructions for a new date after the shutdown ends.

Applicants scheduled for upcoming dates are receiving notices that their appointment will be reset after the funding fight ends.

What USCIS is doing now

USCIS has not closed its field offices, and most applicants should still expect doors to be open for interviews and biometrics. However, the agency warns of delays in interview scheduling and naturalization ceremonies while staff focus on security checks and case vetting.

• Offices: Open for interviews and biometrics in most locations.
• Ceremonies: Some are canceled or postponed and will be rescheduled.
• Priorities: National security and vetting work is being prioritized, slowing routine processing.

The mixed picture—open offices but delayed ceremonies—reflects how this shutdown is impacting different immigration services unevenly.

Government operations and expected delays

USCIS is operating during the shutdown because most of its budget comes from filing fees paid by applicants, not from annual federal appropriations. That funding structure allows the agency to continue core functions even when other parts of government slow or stop.

In practical terms:
1. Some naturalization ceremonies are canceled and will be rescheduled.
2. Interview calendars may see delays or reduced availability.
3. Routine processing may move more slowly while core checks take precedence.

Officials emphasized these changes are temporary and tied to the shutdown. Once funding is restored, canceled citizenship ceremonies will be reset and backlogs addressed in the weeks following reopening. Applicants should expect rescheduling notices once operations return to normal.

What applicants should do now

While the shutdown continues, applicants can take several steps to limit disruption and avoid missing rescheduled dates:

• Attend any scheduled interview or biometrics appointment unless you receive a specific cancellation notice.
• Monitor your USCIS online account, email, and mail daily for updates — notices about rescheduling can arrive on short timelines.
• Keep your documents ready: store appointment letters and identity documents safely so you can bring them to a new date.
• Call your local office before an appointment if you’re unsure whether it’s proceeding.
• Consider legal advice: if your case faces extended delay after the shutdown ends, speak with an experienced immigration attorney about possible next steps, including court options.
• For official guidance about the naturalization oath process and what to expect at ceremonies, review USCIS guidance on The Naturalization Ceremony.

Support and community response

Community groups and local nonprofits that help newcomers are stepping in to support affected applicants. Common recommendations from these organizations include:

• Keep original documents and recent address confirmations handy.
• Maintain updated contact information with USCIS.
• Plan flexible travel arrangements and avoid rebooking flights until a new ceremony date is confirmed in writing.
• Stay connected with local support groups for updates and practical help.

For applicants who already attended the October 2 Baltimore or October 9 Greenbelt ceremonies, the new cancellations do not affect them. Those assigned to the October 16 Baltimore event and the canceled October 14 D.C. event should watch for rescheduling notices.

Broader context and practical effects

This shutdown follows a familiar pattern: past funding lapses have forced federal agencies to triage work. While USCIS remains open, the rebalancing toward security checks creates pressure points on calendars and adds wait time in field offices that were already busy.

Key consequences:
– The shutdown does not change eligibility rules or citizenship standards.
– The primary effect is timing: delayed ability to register to vote, apply for a U.S. passport, or take roles requiring citizenship.
– For many families, these delays affect job plans, travel, and access to certain public roles.

The clearest practical advice: show up for appointments that have not been canceled, watch for official messages, and be ready to act quickly when a new ceremony date is announced.

USCIS has stated that appointments will be rescheduled after the shutdown, so those who lose a date should not need to start the naturalization process over. Until funding is restored and large public events can resume, applicants will wait—prepared for the moment their name is called to take the oath.