The federal government has backed out of holding an annual citizenship ceremony at the end of Dunwoody's popular July Fourth parade, the second Atlanta-area naturalization event the agency has nixed in as many months.
In an email last month informing the Dunwoody Homeowners Association of its decision, the Atlanta field office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said it was shrinking the number of off-site ceremonies this year because of “mission requirements and our allocation of resources.”
For each of the past three years, new citizens recited the Oath of Allegiance at the end of the parade, said Adrienne Duncan, the association's president. While Duncan was disappointed in USCIS's decision, she said the parade will go on as scheduled.
“It was exciting. It was tear-jerking,” she said of the previous ceremonies. “You had a lot of Dunwoody residents and regional residents who are more than happy to see this happen — a lot of educational opportunities for our kids explaining what citizenship is.”
USCIS released a statement about its decision, saying “ongoing theme ceremonies at a given location are never guaranteed.”
“We receive many requests for ceremonies, and take into consideration a large number of different venues,” the agency said. “Invitations are routinely declined for various reasons, including logistics and proximity.”
USCIS added that it is holding a July 4 naturalization ceremony for 25 people at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum.
USCIS drew attention in March when it backed out of an annual naturalization ceremony for former refugees at the state Capitol. Critics questioned the timing of the agency’s decision, citing how USCIS had removed “nation of immigrants” from its mission statement the month before.
But in cancelling the event at Georgia’s Capitol, the agency highlighted rules barring it from using the facilities of groups that practice immigration law and are involved in political advocacy. The event was organized by the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies, which includes organizations that resettle refugees in America, advocates for them and helps immigrants apply for citizenship. The ceremony had been held in the state Capitol each of the past three years.
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