In a surprising move, the Portland field office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has canceled a naturalization ceremony that was set to take place at the Oregon Historical Society next week. The announcement came just a week prior to the event, according to Kerry Tymchuk, the executive director of the Historical Society.
For the past two years, the Historical Society has hosted this annual ceremony on February 14, coinciding with both Valentine’s Day and Oregon’s statehood anniversary. This event, which allows new U.S. citizens to take the Oath of Allegiance, has been a well-publicized addition to the naturalization ceremonies conducted at the federal courthouse throughout the year.
On the morning of February 7, Tymchuk received an email from the USCIS Portland office notifying him of the cancellation due to “unanticipated problems on our end,” though no further details were provided.
This cancellation occurs against the backdrop of a significant shift in federal immigration policy under the Trump administration, which has signaled intentions to deport millions of undocumented immigrants and penalize cities that offer sanctuary. However, it remains unclear if this broader policy change influenced the Portland office’s decision. USCIS did not respond to inquiries regarding the cancellation.
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) were both set to attend the February 14 ceremony. Wyden expressed his confusion over the abrupt change, stating, “This sudden change is disappointing given how vital a role the Oregon Historical Society plays in our community, including being a wonderful host for previous naturalization ceremonies in Portland. As the son of Jewish parents who fled Nazi Germany and became proud U.S. citizens, I always cherish the opportunity to participate in this ceremony. I will be reaching out to USCIS to understand why it is being relocated on such short notice, especially since the ceremony aligns with Oregon’s statehood birthday on February 14, 1859.”
