Naturalization and Oath Ceremony Protection Act

Sponsor: Edward J. Markey (Democratic-MA)December 18, 2025

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Guarantees approved immigrants can complete their path to citizenship, blocking arbitrary delays and exclusions.

This bill would guarantee that immigrants who have been approved to become U.S. citizens can complete the final steps, like taking the oath and getting their citizenship certificate. It aims to stop delays or exclusions based on broad policies, ensuring people can only be stopped for specific, serious reasons. It also provides a way for people to challenge decisions in court.

What Would Change

Today, people approved for citizenship might face delays or be excluded from their final ceremony without clear reasons or a way to fight it. This bill would create a clear right for them to finish the process, with strict rules for when they can be stopped and ways to challenge decisions in court.

Key Provisions

Grants approved naturalization applicants the right to attend their ceremony, take the oath, and get their citizenship certificate.
Limits exclusions from ceremonies to only two specific reasons: if the person is truly ineligible or if they committed fraud.
Requires the government to give detailed written notice and a chance to respond if someone is to be barred from a ceremony.
Blocks the government from delaying or excluding people based on their nationality or broad, non-individualized policies.
Allows people to challenge denials or postponements in court.
Provides legal remedies, including attorneys' fees and a quick rescheduling of the ceremony, if an applicant wins a court case.

View on Congress.gov

S 3568 · 119th Congress · December 18, 2025 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 9/10

Naturalization and Oath Ceremony Protection Act

What Would Change

Key Provisions

Lobbying Activity