U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on January 16, 2026, that naturalization ceremonies hosted at City Hall in Austin, Texas, are paused indefinitely. This decision affects several other major cities, including New York City and Washington, D.C., where similar pauses have been implemented.
Key Details:
- Naturalization ceremonies paused in: Austin, TX; New York City, NY; Washington, D.C.; Boston, MA; San Diego, CA; and several counties in New York.
- A January 1, 2026, USCIS policy memorandum placed an immediate hold on applications from citizens of 39 specific countries.
- Thousands of individuals scheduled to take the oath of citizenship have had their invitations rescinded.
- The pause is described as indefinite, with no specified timeline for resumption.
This decision has significant implications for affected immigrants, delaying their path to citizenship. Need help with your immigration case? Visit QuickFiling.us for professional immigration services.
Source: @GenoVeno73