Naturalization Ceremony Cancelled

[AvatarKorra]

Hi @Sm1smom,

Sorry to ask this question in the AOS thread but feeling really upset and don’t know where to ask this. I’m a DV 2020 winner who did AOS in 2020. I applied for naturalization in May, had my interview in November (approved and scheduled for oath in January) and after this DV ban announcement had my oath immediately cancelled last Friday. I have been following your forums for years and just wanted to ask if you have seen any information indicating whether DV immigrants are banned from naturalizing now? I read the new policy on USCIS website, it doesn’t put a pause on naturalization but yet I have seen myself and for some other DV immigrants their oath ceremonies being cancelled… (I’m not one of the banned countries…) It is so sad that I think I’m now in a limbo status between an LPR and a US citizen, don’t even know if I can travel outside of US or risked my green card now. Or what to do now to have this N-400 process conclude, to not to be in a limbo status. Do you have any advice for me? Thank you so much for your time and sorry to ask this question here again!

 

[Sm1smom]

Your post got moved from the AOS thread in the Visa Lottery sub-forum to the Citizenship sub-forum where it belongs.
~ ~ Moderator ~ ~​

 

[Sm1smom]

While I am not aware of any official statement instructing USCIS to pause or cancel oath ceremonies, I am aware of cases in similar situations such as yours. The pause on pending DV based AOS applications is having a similar effect on DV based LPRs waiting to complete the oath ceremonies. Technically speaking, you’re not in a limbo status, you’re still a LPR as of now, even though you passed the naturalization test.

In terms of what to do now, you may consult with an immigration attorney and explore the possibility of suing USCIS to force them into rescheduling your oath ceremony. Or simply wait and watch things play out.

 

[AvatarKorra]

Thank you so much @Sm1smom!