Binghamton mayor denounces canceled naturalization ceremony, calls for rescheduling

(BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK) The sudden cancellation of a long‑planned naturalization ceremony in Binghamton has drawn sharp criticism from Mayor Jared Kraham, after federal officials told local courts across upstate New York that they could no longer host swearing‑in events for new citizens. The decision, communicated this month by USCIS – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services – has halted ceremonies indefinitely, leaving hundreds of immigrants who had already completed background checks, passed civics tests, and taken the final steps toward U.S. 🇺🇸 citizenship waiting without a new date.

What happened and who is affected

At the center of the dispute is the American Civic Association in Binghamton, a community organization that has hosted many past ceremonies. Mayor Kraham said he was told that an upcoming event there was taken off the calendar after USCIS reviewed the legal authority of certain New York county courts under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act.

USCIS concluded that some of those courts do not meet the statutory requirements to conduct naturalization, so ceremonies are being shifted away from judges to federal officials. The agency says the change is meant to conform to the exact language of the law about which courts can conduct judicial naturalization and when the federal government must take over that role.

• Immediate impact: Hundreds of applicants who had finished interviews, biometrics, and civics tests are left without a ceremony date.
• Geographic scope: The cancellations extend beyond Binghamton to several upstate communities.

Counties that reported cancellations

Local reactions

Mayor Jared Kraham (Republican) criticized the move and blamed President Trump’s administration for taking a harder line on immigration policy. He described naturalization ceremonies as “a snapshot of America at its best — moving displays of patriotism, the pursuit of a better life, and the defining diversity that makes us who we are.”

“This cancellation is deeply frustrating for our city and devastating for the families who were ready to celebrate,” Kraham said, noting he has presided over many such events.

Schenectady County Clerk Cara Ackerley said this was the first time in her career she had seen such an order and voiced anger that people who had already done everything required were being told to wait again.

One local applicant, who asked not to be named, said she cried when she learned the ceremony was canceled. “I was finally going to become a citizen after years of waiting,” she said. “Now I don’t know when that day will come.”

USCIS response and procedural details

USCIS has assured applicants that they will not lose their progress toward citizenship. Instead, the agency plans to:

1. Reschedule oath ceremonies.
2. Move ceremonies from courtrooms into administrative venues overseen directly by federal officers.
3. Use processes that are already in place in many parts of the country.

The agency’s guidance points applicants to general naturalization resources, including the Citizenship Resource Center at Citizenship Resource Center. The article also referenced the specific application form: Form N‑400, the Application for Naturalization.

Important caveats

• USCIS says applicants’ cases remain active and will be rescheduled.
• There is no timeline provided for when rescheduled ceremonies will occur, leaving many applicants anxious.
• The agency has directed applicants with questions to its customer service channels and website.

Why this matters to applicants

The final oath ceremony is typically the shortest step in the process but carries the greatest emotional weight. It turns permanent residents into full citizens with rights to:

• Vote
• Hold a U.S. passport
• Serve on juries

Applicants had already filed Form N‑400, paid fees, and completed interviews and biometrics. Many had invited family, taken time off work, or made travel plans to attend the Binghamton event. The lack of a new date effectively moves the finish line for people who feel they were ready to complete the process.

Community response and support efforts

Local community groups, especially the American Civic Association, are working to keep applicants informed and supported:

• Staff are answering calls from worried applicants daily.
• Volunteers are helping people update addresses with USCIS.
• Volunteers are helping applicants keep copies of key documents so rescheduling notices are not missed.

The association stresses that cases are still active and no one will be forced to start over.

Broader implications and concerns

Advocates say this episode shows how procedural decisions in Washington can have deep local effects. Analysis by VisaVerge.com indicates shifting from judicial to administrative ceremonies is not new, but doing so suddenly and without a clear schedule can increase fear in immigrant communities.

Some local lawyers worry that reports of “canceled ceremonies” could spread faster than later corrections, potentially discouraging eligible green card holders from applying for citizenship.

Mayor Kraham’s requests and next steps

Mayor Kraham has urged USCIS to:

• Act quickly to set new dates.
• Keep the American Civic Association involved in ceremonies.
• Consider sending federal staff to Binghamton to avoid moving ceremonies far from where applicants live.

“Our community has a long history of opening its doors to refugees and immigrants,” Kraham said. “To pull these ceremonies with no plan to replace them undercuts that proud tradition.”

Until USCIS issues a firm schedule or other clear instructions, the empty chairs at the American Civic Association remain a visible symbol of families’ postponed hopes and delayed promises.