It’s wrong to stop naturalization ceremonies based on where people are born | Opinion

I have often heard people say they have no problem with immigration provided that the immigrants “do it the right way”, or in other words, obtain legal immigration documents, pay the required fees, and attend immigration appointments and hearings.

But the fact is, we are now in a situation where it doesn’t seem to matter how much commitment an immigrant shows to following proper procedure. Trump and his allies have made it clear that to them, immigration enforcement has little to do with respecting people who want to immigrate “the right way” and targeting only the “worst of the worst.” The plainest example can be seen in the recent treatment of people who took all the many steps required to become naturalized citizens, only to have the opportunity lost at the last minute.

The requirements for naturalization are extensive. The applicant has to have lived in the US as a green card holder for at least three years, if married to a US citizen, or at least five years otherwise. In addition, applicants must undergo prolonged screening, provide records of personal and employment history, and submit biometric information. As part of the process, applicants must demonstrate basic proficiency in English and a much greater understanding of civics than many native-born US citizens possess. The final stage in the naturalization process is to attend a naturalization ceremony and take the oath of allegiance, at which point the person becomes a US citizen. I have attended naturalization ceremonies and have felt proud to live in a nation that people would strive so hard and for so long to join.

Yet, since late November, the immigration service has outright cancelled these ceremonies or has allowed them to proceed but forbidden participation by people born in any of 19 countries disfavored by the Trump administration. There is no reason to think that these near-citizens posed any threat to the country. They had been subjected to years’ worth of vetting and had proven their dedication to following the legal citizenship process. With substantial histories of living here, working here, and integrating into their communities in a lawful manner, they are the very opposite of the “criminal illegals” we are warned against.

In Louisville, people from the restricted countries have been pulled out of line while waiting to enter their naturalization ceremonies, stopped from becoming citizens at the very last step of the process. Clients of Neighbors Immigration Clinic here in Lexington have had their immigration cases placed on pause because they came from a restricted country. As one might expect, they are frustrated that after working diligently to do things the right way, their applications were suspended through no fault of their own. This treatment feels unfair to them and, in my view, is indeed unfair and unjustifiable. All of their efforts have been derailed by a thing they have no control over, the country where they were born.

What is lost by restricting even the most carefully vetted pathways to legal immigration? In Lexington, we have businesses large and small, ranging from Alltech to Sav’s Chill, founded by immigrants and contributing to the economic well-being of the community. Scan the roster of professionals at our hospitals and universities, and you will see people whose names indicate they are immigrants or are the children of immigrants. Our agricultural sector relies on immigrant labor and our arts and food scenes show what a rich fusion of national cultures can produce.

It is reasonable to evaluate applicants for legal residency and citizenship carefully. Being overly lax about borders has created problems. But it seems to me that the pendulum has swung too far in the other direction, that this administration is cultivating an excessive fear of immigrants and immigration, to the point where we are walling ourselves away from people who would truly love and benefit this country.

Meg Upchurch is a retired college professor who lives in Lexington.