What should have been a milestone day for dozens of immigrants in Boston instead turned into shock and heartbreak as multiple naturalization ceremonies were abruptly canceled at the door, preventing applicants from taking the oath of allegiance, the final step in becoming U.S. citizens.
Ceremonies scheduled at Faneuil Hall and other Boston venues were halted without prior notice, according to immigrants and advocates. Applicants, many dressed formally, carrying small American flags and accompanied by family, were turned away by federal officials outside and told they could not proceed.
Some applicants were told they were being flagged under a renewed “high-risk” review policy, reportedly tied to nationality or country of origin. Many said they were instructed to leave immediately, despite having completed all legal requirements, background checks, and interviews necessary for citizenship.
Project Citizenship, a Boston nonprofit that helps immigrants through the naturalization process, said one of its longtime clients—a Haitian woman who has held a green card for more than 20 years—was turned away moments before her oath. Executive Director Gail Breslow publicly described the actions as “despicable,” noting that people are “devastated and deeply anxious about their future.”
The MIRA Coalition reported at least five clients already denied and more than 40 others now fearful their ceremonies may be canceled without notice. “People are disheartened, devastated, and rightly outraged,” the organization said in a public statement.
For many immigrants, the oath ceremony is the moment they finally obtain the security and dignity of citizenship after years of legal compliance, vetting, fees, and personal sacrifice. Instead, dozens left Boston venues in confusion, some with children asking why their parents were not allowed inside.
Advocates note that canceling ceremonies at the door is extraordinarily rare and reserved only for cases involving new, material findings, not for broad, nationality-based screening.
Those denied today say they received no advance warning. Some learned their appointments had been canceled only when they arrived at the venue, while others received vague online messages with little explanation.
Community organizations and attorneys are now documenting cases and demanding clarity from federal authorities. So far, there has been no public explanation of how applicants are being selected for last-minute exclusion from ceremonies.
While the government has the authority to review naturalization cases until citizenship is formally granted, legal immigrants are entitled under the Constitution to due process, equal protection, and the fair application of the law. The naturalization system exists to provide a clear, consistent pathway for qualified residents to become Americans.
Abruptly denying entry to approved applicants without notice, transparency, or individualized explanation raises serious questions about procedural fairness and potential discrimination and contradicts the principles that underpin the nation’s immigration framework.
Immigrants who follow every rule, pass every check, and appear at their oath ceremonies have a reasonable expectation that the process will be respected.
NEAT Media (New England Ascent Tribune) is a nonprofit News Network dedicated to elevating the stories, perspectives, and experiences of immigrants and people of color across New England.
