Rep. Craig Calls Out Administration for Hindering Pathway to Citizenship for Legal Immigrants

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig joined 118 of her House colleagues in calling out the Trump Administration for indefinitely pausing all green card applications, naturalization interviews, oath ceremonies and other immigration processing for legal immigrants from the 19 countries designated in President Trump’s June travel ban. 

In a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow, Rep. Craig and her colleagues blast the Administration for obstructing a pathway to citizenship for those who have followed the law and completed the necessary steps to achieve legal status. They urge the Administration to reverse its decision and demand transparency regarding the impacts and scope of this indefinite pause. 

“Despite the Trump Administration’s claims of going after the ‘worst of the worst,’ it is attacking the very people who have followed every process and undergone extensive and repeated vetting to secure legal status,” the Members wrote.“This sweeping action is unjustified, discriminatory, and inconsistent with our nation’s founding principles. We demand that you lift this pause immediately.”

Rep. Craig and her colleagues also highlight that this pause is targeting those who have followed the law and completed many of the necessary steps to becoming a U.S. citizen. In the most egregious cases, individuals who were already approved for naturalization were pulled out of line by USCIS officials moments before their oath ceremonies. 

“These naturalization ceremonies are a time of celebration, as soon-to-be U.S. citizens

welcome their friends and family to witness their achievement of becoming a U.S. citizen,” the Members continued. “To deny this monumental achievement to those who have waited years, if not decades, to pledge the Oath of Allegiance, delaying their naturalization through no fault of their own, is a slap in the face to all those who have devoted their time and energy to become U.S. citizens. It is also a waste of USCIS resources, such as employees who adjudicated applications, which includes vetting and screening, throughout the process.”

“Many of the people now being blocked have lived in the United States for years, contributing to their communities and undergoing extensive and repeated vetting by DHS,” the Members concluded. “To suggest categorically, without any individual review of the case, that these same long-time residents suddenly pose a serious threat, defies both logic and the government’s own record."

You can read the full text of the letter here.

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