(SOUTH BEND, INDIANA) — U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott J. Frankel swore in 49 people as United States citizens on January 9, 2026, at a naturalization ceremony held at the Robert A. Grant Federal Courthouse in South Bend.
The ceremony, listed on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana’s 2026 naturalization calendar, marked the final step for the new citizens after a process that includes background checks, English and civics testing, and the Oath of Allegiance.
Ceremony logistics and local context
The January 9 event took place at the Robert A. Grant Federal Courthouse at 204 South Main Street, South Bend, IN, with Frankel presiding. The court’s online schedule is the most direct way to confirm that a ceremony is planned and where it will be held, especially for family members, community groups, and applicants who are close to the finish line.
Court calendars and courthouse instructions matter because logistics can shift for reasons that have nothing to do with an applicant’s case. Arrival times, security screening rules, and guest limits are among the details that can change, and attendees typically need to confirm expectations close to the day they travel to the courthouse.
- Bring identification and any required documents
- Allow extra time to enter a federal building because of security screening
- Confirm arrival times, guest limits, and any restricted items
- Plan for parking and timing when traveling from outside South Bend
Naturalization process and the Oath
The ceremony sits at the end of a process that can take years. Applicants generally begin by determining eligibility, then filing the required application, completing biometrics and background checks, and attending an interview that includes English and civics testing before they are scheduled for an oath ceremony.
The Oath of Allegiance is the moment that confers the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship, including the right to vote. For many, it is also the clearest dividing line in the paperwork journey, because proof of citizenship becomes central immediately after the ceremony.
- Determine eligibility. Confirm statutory requirements for naturalization.
- File application. Submit the required form and fee.
- Biometrics and background checks. Complete fingerprinting and security screening.
- Interview and testing. Attend the interview with English and civics components.
- Oath ceremony. Take the Oath of Allegiance to become a U.S. citizen.
USCIS civics test changes
The South Bend ceremony came in the same week as a USCIS change to the naturalization civics test that took effect January 5, 2026, when the agency implemented a revamped 2025 Naturalization Civics Test. USCIS described the new version as a “stricter” standard.
Under the updated approach, applicants can be asked up to 20 oral questions, increased from 10, and must correctly answer at least 12 to pass. The updated question bank now includes 128 items with an emphasis on federalism and constitutional amendments.
for applicants preparing for interviews, the shift changes how people study and practice, even if the goal remains the same: demonstrating knowledge in a live, oral format. A larger pool of questions and a higher pass threshold can push applicants to prepare for longer exchanges and to pace answers without losing accuracy.
uscis testing mechanics, however, are separate from the broader legal requirements for naturalization. The civics test is one part of the interview, while the overall process also hinges on background checks and the applicant’s ability to meet the statutory requirements of naturalization, including good moral character.
Fee adjustment for premium processing
The ceremony also coincided with an administrative change on fees that matters most to people using faster case processing in other parts of the immigration system. On January 9, 2026, DHS published a final rule in the Federal Register increasing premium processing fees to reflect inflation adjustments from 2023 to 2025.
Premium processing is used by people seeking expedited adjudication for certain immigration benefits, but it does not guarantee approval. The practical decision for applicants is often whether speed is worth the additional cost and whether the benefit sought is eligible for premium processing in the first place.
Because the January 9 rule was framed as an inflation adjustment and tied to a specific period, applicants and employers who rely on premium processing may need to treat fee checks as part of routine case planning. That can mean confirming the current amount at the time of filing and ensuring the correct fee is submitted for the specific form and benefit category.
Enforcement initiatives and verification
The third shift announced on the same day as the South Bend ceremony was enforcement-related and carried a different kind of message about scrutiny and verification. On January 9, 2026, DHS and USCIS announced the launch of “Operation PARRIS” in Minnesota, described as a sweeping initiative to re-examine thousands of refugee cases through intensive verification.
The announcement could be felt beyond Minnesota for applicants whose histories trace back to refugee processing, asylee claims, or family relationships connected to refugee-based records. Intensive verification commonly means closer review of documentary records and consistency across prior applications and interviews, even when the applicant is seeking a different benefit years later.
Applicants who are contacted in connection with verification efforts typically face a practical challenge: producing records that may be old, scattered, or tied to events that occurred in another country. When questions arise about prior filings or discrepancies, the next step can include seeking qualified legal help, particularly for people unsure how earlier refugee records might intersect with a current immigration benefit.
Venue trends: courthouses over community sites
Alongside policy and enforcement announcements, the South Bend event also reflected a broader venue trend described for 2025-2026: USCIS has largely ceased partnering with community organizations such as libraries and museums to host ceremonies at donated facilities, refocusing naturalization events within federal courthouses for greater security and administrative consistency.
Holding ceremonies at federal courthouses can simplify security planning and standardize how ceremonies are conducted, but it can also change the feel of the day for new citizens and their families. Courthouses come with screening procedures and capacity limits that can shape who attends and how long people wait, factors that become part of the experience alongside the oath itself.
For community groups that once hosted ceremonies in public spaces, the shift can mean adapting how they celebrate or support new citizens. Families may look for alternatives outside the ceremony itself, while advocates focus on helping attendees plan for the courthouse setting and request accommodations when needed.
Ceremonial remarks and official statements
Public remarks at ceremonies often blend personal encouragement with civic themes, but such statements are not the same as binding USCIS policy. In the South Bend case, specific remarks from Frankel at the January 9 ceremony were reported locally by the South Bend Tribune, while official court statements highlighted his judicial qualities in connection with his appointment.
“In addition to Mr. Frankel’s extensive litigation experience. his calm demeanor and the compassion he has shown for his clients will certainly transition to a sound judicial temperament. The Court. looks forward to welcoming Mr. Frankel as one of our colleagues.”
For new citizens and their families, such language can carry weight as a reflection of how a community sees the moment, but applicants are generally advised to treat court or local remarks as inspiration rather than instructions. Practical guidance on steps, deadlines, and requirements comes from official schedules and USCIS policy materials, not from ceremonial speeches.
After naturalization: documentation and daily life
After naturalization, new citizens commonly focus on documentation and updates across daily life, using proof of citizenship when needed and ensuring records reflect their new status. For those who travel, the change in status can also reshape what documents they rely on and when they need to present proof of citizenship.
Readers trying to sort ceremony logistics from broader policy news have several government destinations that can anchor what is official. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana posts its naturalization schedule at the exact link below for confirmation and planning.
U.S. District Court – Northern District of Indiana Naturalization Schedule
USCIS Newsroom: Latest Headlines
USCIS Policy Manual: Naturalization Requirements
Magistrate Judge Scott J. Frankel presided over a naturalization ceremony for 49 new citizens in South Bend, Indiana. The event highlighted a shift toward federal courthouse venues and coincided with new, more rigorous USCIS civics testing standards. While the ceremony celebrated personal achievement, it also underscored broader administrative changes, including fee adjustments and increased verification efforts like Operation PARRIS, affecting the national immigration landscape.
