US Halts Somali Naturalisation Fete Amid Expanded Travel Ban

The US citizenship and Immigration Services has placed a hold on scheduled naturalisation ceremonies for applicants from a list of countries affected by the Trump administration’s newly expanded travel restrictions, leaving Somali-born residents who were set to take the final oath of citizenship in limbo.

Several Somali immigrants, many of whom have lived and worked in the United States for years and have met all legal requirements to become citizens, were informed that their ceremonies had been cancelled or postponed without a new date.

In some cases, applicants said they had already received confirmation of their ceremony locations and times before the pause was announced.

The move follows the administration’s decision to tighten entry and immigration vetting for nationals of selected countries it deems high-risk.

While details of the internal guidance have not been made public, people familiar with the process said the suspension covers the final stages of naturalisation, including the administration of the oath of allegiance, even for those whose applications had already been approved.

Somalia, which has faced varying levels of U.S. immigration restrictions in the past, is among the countries most affected by the latest action.

Community leaders in cities with large Somali populations, such as Minneapolis, Columbus and Seattle, said people who had been preparing to become citizens are now confused and anxious about their status.

The cancellations come amid renewed criticism by President Donald Trump of the Somali community in the United States.

At recent public events and private meetings with supporters, Trump has launched verbal attacks on Somali immigrants, using disparaging language and portraying the community as a threat to public order.

His comments have drawn anger from Somali-American organisations and civil rights advocates, who accuse the administration of stigmatising an entire group on the basis of nationality and religion.

Immigration advocates warned that the pause on ceremonies could have serious consequences for those affected, including delays in obtaining passports, voting rights, security in employment and the ability to sponsor family members.

“This is not just a bureaucratic delay. For many people, this was the final step after years of living, working and paying taxes in the United States,” said an attorney familiar with several of the affected cases.

“To have it taken away at the last minute is devastating.”

The Department of Homeland Security and USCIS have not issued a detailed public explanation on how long the pause will last or what steps affected applicants might take to challenge or appeal the decision.

For now, Somali immigrants who were on the verge of becoming American citizens remain in uncertainty, waiting for clarity on whether — or when — they will be allowed to complete the process.

gandae@ businessdayafrica.org