Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Thousands Wait to Take US Citizenship Oath Amid Virus Delays

Associated Press

   BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - Wendy De Los Santos passed the test to become a
   U.S. citizen just days before government offices shut down nationwide
   because of the coronavirus pandemic.

   In mid-March, officials said they would tell her in a few weeks when
   she could publicly recite the oath of allegiance, the final step before
   becoming an American citizen.

   More than two months later, she's still waiting.

   "It is causing some anxiety. It would be nice to finish the process,
   even if it has to be done virtually," said De Los Santos, a 38-year-old
   Boston-area medical assistant originally from the Dominican Republic.
   "I mean, my daughter is taking classes on Zoom. We're here. What's the
   problem?"

   While many parts of American life have pivoted online or are beginning
   to reemerge from weeks of lockdowns, the citizenship process has ground
   to a halt.

   U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which handles citizenship,
   visa, refugee and asylum claims, postponed in-person services on Mar.
   18, citing concerns about the virus spreading. It's extended the
   suspension at least through June 3.

   A limited number of small naturalization ceremonies have taken place,
   but advocates complain that most aspiring citizens haven't been told
   when the final step will happen.

   Citizenship groups warn the delays threaten to disenfranchise thousands
   of potential voters in a critical election year.

   Registration deadlines for primaries are approaching in a number of
   states, and would-be voters must be citizens when they register or risk
   facing criminal charges or even deportation, they say.

   "This is yet another attempt to politicize access to voting," said
   Kristen Clarke, president of the Washington, D.C.-based Lawyers'
   Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. "The final ceremonial step should
   not be used as a pretext to deny otherwise citizenship-eligible
   individuals access to the ballot."

   USCIS is holding more ceremonies as it becomes better at using new
   formats, deputy director for policy Joseph Edlow said.

   But he said federal law requires people to take their oath "publicly"
   and "in person" and that key parts of the ceremony can't be done
   virtually, such as collecting permanent resident cards and issuing
   citizenship certificates.

.