Drive-Up Service Helps Some Take Final Step to US Citizenship
2020-07-12
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1The coronavirus health crisis has led to delays for thousands of people wanting to become citizens of the United States.
2The federal agency that processes citizenship requests, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS, suspended its in-person services in March.
3At that time, the agency said there were about 110,000 people waiting to complete the final steps to citizenship.
4The process of becoming a U.S. citizen is known as "naturalization."
5The final step in this process is to take an oath of loyalty to the country at an official ceremony.
6Some individuals have been able to complete the process by taking part in an unusual drive-up ceremony.
7The drive-up events are designed with physical distancing in mind to protect people from the coronavirus.
8Those taking part are required to wear face coverings.
9People remain in their vehicles while taking the citizenship oath.
10A government official stands a safe distance away to complete the swearing-in process.
11One such ceremony took place recently in a parking garage near a federal office building in Detroit, Michigan.
12When 60-year-old Anita Rosenberger entered the garage, she was a British citizen.
13Thirty minutes later, after taking the oath, she drove away as a U.S. citizen.
14"It was a nice experience in spite of the fact that I was in the car by myself with a mask on," Rosenberger said.
15"And I will say that I will remember this."
16Similar drive-up ceremonies are being held across the country, but possibly not for much longer.
17USCIS says a budget crisis could force the agency to temporarily release nearly three-fourths of its workforce.
18If this happens, it could further delay the final citizenship steps for tens of thousands of people.
19The citizenship agency has not explained how it will operate if it does not get $1.2 billion from Congress before August 3.
20It told The Associated Press that "all USCIS operations will be impacted" by the release of more than 13,000 workers.
21USCIS receives nearly all its $4.8 billion budget from fees it collects from people who seek to live or work in the country.
22The agency is already getting less money after President Donald Trump's administration ordered restrictions on immigration.
23The agency said effects of COVID-19 had reduced the amount by half.
24The administration also stopped some programs - including a recent halt on H-1B visas for skilled workers - that provide an important source of money for USCIS.
25Some in Congress have pushed to permit virtual swearing-in ceremonies, but the agency has so far refused.
26Citizenship groups have warned that the citizenship delays could limit the rights of thousands of voters in the country's elections later this year.
27Time limits for election registration are nearing in some states.
28Individuals seeking to vote must be citizens when they register or risk facing criminal charges or possible deportation, the groups say.
29I'm Bryan Lynn.
1The coronavirus health crisis has led to delays for thousands of people wanting to become citizens of the United States. 2The federal agency that processes citizenship requests, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS, suspended its in-person services in March. At that time, the agency said there were about 110,000 people waiting to complete the final steps to citizenship. 3The process of becoming a U.S. citizen is known as "naturalization." The final step in this process is to take an oath of loyalty to the country at an official ceremony. 4Some individuals have been able to complete the process by taking part in an unusual drive-up ceremony. 5The drive-up events are designed with physical distancing in mind to protect people from the coronavirus. Those taking part are required to wear face coverings. People remain in their vehicles while taking the citizenship oath. A government official stands a safe distance away to complete the swearing-in process. 6One such ceremony took place recently in a parking garage near a federal office building in Detroit, Michigan. When 60-year-old Anita Rosenberger entered the garage, she was a British citizen. Thirty minutes later, after taking the oath, she drove away as a U.S. citizen. 7"It was a nice experience in spite of the fact that I was in the car by myself with a mask on," Rosenberger said. "And I will say that I will remember this." 8Similar drive-up ceremonies are being held across the country, but possibly not for much longer. USCIS says a budget crisis could force the agency to temporarily release nearly three-fourths of its workforce. If this happens, it could further delay the final citizenship steps for tens of thousands of people. 9The citizenship agency has not explained how it will operate if it does not get $1.2 billion from Congress before August 3. It told The Associated Press that "all USCIS operations will be impacted" by the release of more than 13,000 workers. 10USCIS receives nearly all its $4.8 billion budget from fees it collects from people who seek to live or work in the country. The agency is already getting less money after President Donald Trump's administration ordered restrictions on immigration. The agency said effects of COVID-19 had reduced the amount by half. 11The administration also stopped some programs - including a recent halt on H-1B visas for skilled workers - that provide an important source of money for USCIS. 12Some in Congress have pushed to permit virtual swearing-in ceremonies, but the agency has so far refused. 13Citizenship groups have warned that the citizenship delays could limit the rights of thousands of voters in the country's elections later this year. 14Time limits for election registration are nearing in some states. Individuals seeking to vote must be citizens when they register or risk facing criminal charges or possible deportation, the groups say. 15I'm Bryan Lynn. 16The Associated Press reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 17We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. 18________________________________________________________________ 19Words in This Story 20oath - n. a formal promise 21parking - adj. leaving a vehicle in a particular place for a period of time 22garage - n. a small building used to keep cars in 23in spite of - phr. although something exists or happens 24mask - n. a covering for the face 25impact - n. the effect an event or situation has on someone or something 26fee - n. an amount of money people pay to do or get something 27source - n. where something comes from 28virtual - adj. using computer and internet technology to conduct activities normally carried out in person 29deportation - n. the forced removal of a person from a country