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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has canceled an upcoming naturalization ceremony in Ulster County due to a lack of candidates. The ceremony was scheduled for December 12. Similar cancellations have occurred in Dutchess and Putnam counties, as reported by the Albany Times Union. The cancellations were announced via email from USCIS Albany Field Office Director Gwynne Dinolfo, who cited insufficient candidates as the reason for the decision.
Ulster County Clerk Taylor Bruck expressed frustration and confusion over the cancellation, noting that it is unprecedented for a ceremony to be canceled due to a lack of candidates. Typically, naturalization ceremonies in Ulster County have around 30 participants, though they have been held with as few as 10 in the past. Bruck commented, "It seems like there's a new minimum threshold that has to be met by USCIS." He also mentioned that the county had requested USCIS approve 100 candidates for the ceremony, but only 40 were available at the last event in September.
The cancellations come amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to restrict immigration, including halting asylum proceedings and reexamining green card holders from certain countries. Despite the cancellations, USCIS has confirmed the dates for the 2026 naturalization ceremonies in these counties.
Dutchess County Clerk Bradford Kendall noted that while ceremonies have been rescheduled in the past for various reasons, this is the first time it has happened due to a lack of candidates. He speculated that the recent 45-day government shutdown may have affected the process.