September 17 is Constitution Day, commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. However, for immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship, the path to naturalization has become more challenging due to new requirements and tightened vetting standards introduced during the Trump administration. Justice correspondent Ali Rogin reports.
On Citizenship Day, which recognizes those who have attained U.S. citizenship, the journey to naturalization involves applying for and holding a green card for years, completing lengthy applications, paying hundreds of dollars in fees, undergoing interviews with immigration officers, and passing an English language and civics test.
In a federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, 60 new citizens took their final steps toward citizenship. Judge William Fitzpatrick of the Eastern District of Virginia presided over the ceremony, where new citizens expressed their excitement and relief at completing the process. One participant, Lucio Arevalo, a green card holder since 1998, shared his feelings about finally becoming a full citizen after arriving in the U.S. from Mexico as a baby.
Arevalo noted the stress and nerves associated with the process, which he hopes will alleviate his fears related to immigration policies. To prepare for the civics test, he utilized resources from Welcome.US, a national initiative aimed at assisting new arrivals through the immigration system. Volunteer Dana Van Ostrand helped Arevalo study in virtual sessions.
Nazanin Ash, CEO and Co-Founder of Welcome.US, commented on the changes in the immigration system, emphasizing the rigorous nature of the citizenship process. She stated that the responsibilities of citizenship are significant and should not be taken lightly.
Since the Trump administration returned to office, the naturalization process has seen several changes, including a more difficult civics test, stricter social media vetting, a proposed increase in application fees by 75 percent to nearly $1,300, and a revival of neighborhood investigations into applicants' moral character. The government is processing significantly fewer naturalization applications compared to the Biden administration, with a reported 75 percent drop-off in applications and a doubling of the rejection rate from 9.2 percent to over 18 percent since September 2024.
Additionally, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has canceled naturalization ceremonies abruptly, including two scheduled for the same day in Alexandria. In a statement, USCIS indicated that the changes are necessary to ensure that citizenship is reserved for qualified individuals, asserting that naturalization is a privilege, not a right.
Van Ostrand expressed his desire to counter what he perceives as the administration's hostility toward immigrants through his volunteer work. At the courthouse, Judge Fitzpatrick encouraged the new citizens to actively participate in their government and uphold the values they represent.
As the ceremony concluded, the new citizens stepped out into their new lives, reflecting on the emotions of their achievement.