Thousands of people are becoming US citizens at socially distanced, drive-thru naturalization ceremonies

Jacqueline Baylon,Dylan Bank,Mark AbadiAug 8, 2020, 20:12 IST

A group of soon-to-be US citizens take the oath of allegiance at a drive-thru naturalization ceremony in San Diego.Alexis Duran and Eric Olsen for Business Insider Today

Thousands of people are completing the process of becoming US citizens at drive-thru naturalization ceremonies.
Social distancing has moved these ceremonies outdoors — and they've helped the US get through a backlog of more than 100,000 citizenship candidates this summer.
For the newly minted US citizens, these drive-thru ceremonies provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Taking an oath of allegiance is the last step for people going through the long process of becoming US citizens.

The ceremony typically takes place in large venues or courthouses, with hundreds or even thousands of people standing shoulder to shoulder in front of a judge.

But social distancing has moved these events outdoors, where judges preside over drive-thru naturalization ceremonies at scenic locations like Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego.

Now, soon-to-be citizens simply drive up to the ceremonies in their cars, hand over their green cards, take the oath, and leave newly minted citizens of the United States.

The decision to hold drive-thru naturalization ceremonies has helped US Citizenship and Immigration Services get through its backlog of 110,000 candidates. However, the citizenship process is expected to become even more difficult and costly in November, when a new Trump policy takes effect.

In the meantime, for the new US citizens, these outdoor ceremonies provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience they'll never forget.

Over 100 people are becoming US citizens at this drive-thru outdoor ceremony in San Diego.

Alexis Duran and Eric Olsen for Business Insider Today

Drive-thru naturalization ceremonies like this are being held around the country because of social distancing guidelines.

A group of soon-to-be US citizens take the oath of allegiance at a drive-thru naturalization ceremony in San Diego. Alexis Duran and Eric Olsen for Business Insider Today

For some of the new US citizens, it was a day they had waited decades for, only to find out it would be postponed because of the pandemic.

Reuters

US Citizenship and Immigration Services offices closed back in March, halting all ceremonies and leaving in limbo about 110,000 candidates who were on their last step to becoming citizens.

Alexis Duran and Eric Olsen for Business Insider Today

US Citizenship and Immigration Services offices closed back in March, halting all ceremonies and leaving in limbo about 110,000 candidates who were on their last step to becoming citizens.

Naturalization ceremonies are usually held indoors, in large spaces or courtrooms where people stand side by side, all facing a judge who is reading the oath of allegiance.

Getty Images

Naturalization ceremonies are usually held indoors, in large spaces or courtrooms where people stand side by side, all facing a judge who is reading the oath of allegiance.

After the USCIS publicized its outdoor ceremony option, it was able to clear its backlog and naturalize 117,000 citizens by the end of July.

Alexis Duran and Eric Olsen for Business Insider Today

The process to become a US citizen is not exactly easy, fast, or cheap — before being able to apply for citizenship, a person needs to have been a green card holder between three and five years, depending on their circumstance.

Alexis Duran and Eric Olsen for Business Insider Today

The process to become a US citizen is not exactly easy, fast, or cheap — before being able to apply for citizenship, a person needs to have been a green card holder between three and five years, depending on their circumstance.

Eventually they go through an interview that includes a test on American history and civics. The cost for the process adds up to $725, however the Trump administration has recently increased the costs, and it will go up to $1,170 in November.

In this Sept. 18, 2018 photo Sameeha Alkamalee Jabbar, a 38-year-old from Orange County sits during a naturalization ceremony in Los Angeles. Alkamalee Jabbar who is originally from Sri Lanka, said the process took ten months and at times she worried but knew about the backlog. Amy Taxin/AP

Eventually they go through an interview that includes a test on American history and civics. The cost for the process adds up to $725, however the Trump administration has recently increased the costs, and it will go up to $1,170 in November.

The last step is to attend the naturalization ceremony where they take the oath of allegiance to the United States, which includes swearing to protect the Constitution and laws of the country.

Liz Kraker/Business Insider Today

The last step is to attend the naturalization ceremony where they take the oath of allegiance to the United States, which includes swearing to protect the Constitution and laws of the country.

The outdoor ceremonies are quicker than the indoor ones. But in some ways they're much nicer — here in San Diego at the Cabrillo National Monument, dozens of people became citizens while overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Alexis Duran and Eric Olsen for Business Insider Today

The outdoor ceremonies are quicker than the indoor ones. But in some ways they're much nicer — here in San Diego at the Cabrillo National Monument, dozens of people became citizens while overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

People drive up, surrender their green cards, and are given a small US flag. Then they drive a little farther to park. They are then asked to get out and stand next to their cars, and finally, the judge presides over the oaths.

Alexis Duran and Eric Olsen for Business Insider Today

People drive up, surrender their green cards, and are given a small US flag. Then they drive a little farther to park. They are then asked to get out and stand next to their cars, and finally, the judge presides over the oaths.

Then they receive a certificate that proves citizenship.

Alexis Duran and Eric Olsen for Business Insider Today

For many, it's the final step of a long immigration journey.

Alexis Duran and Eric Olsen for Business Insider Today

"I want to contribute to society. I want to be a part of the United States, not just by words, but actions," said naturalized citizen Martha Cruz Kingswright of Mexico. "If the United States needs me to go to a certain place to work for our nation, I will do it."

Alexis Duran and Eric Olsen for Business Insider Today

"I want to contribute to society. I want to be a part of the United States, not just by words, but actions," said naturalized citizen Martha Cruz Kingswright of Mexico. "If the United States needs me to go to a certain place to work for our nation, I will do it."

"Having been born here, I don't think I can even truly appreciate what it means," said Judge Jill L. Burkhardt, who presided over the ceremony. "These are people … who have worked so hard for so long, and this is truly a dream that they're realizing."

Alexis Duran and Eric Olsen for Business Insider Today

"Having been born here, I don't think I can even truly appreciate what it means," said Judge Jill L. Burkhardt, who presided over the ceremony. "These are people … who have worked so hard for so long, and this is truly a dream that they're realizing."

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Thousands of people are becoming US citizens at socially distanced, drive-thru naturalization ceremonies

Over 100 people are becoming US citizens at this drive-thru outdoor ceremony in San Diego.

Drive-thru naturalization ceremonies like this are being held around the country because of social distancing guidelines.

For some of the new US citizens, it was a day they had waited decades for, only to find out it would be postponed because of the pandemic.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services offices closed back in March, halting all ceremonies and leaving in limbo about 110,000 candidates who were on their last step to becoming citizens.

Naturalization ceremonies are usually held indoors, in large spaces or courtrooms where people stand side by side, all facing a judge who is reading the oath of allegiance.

After the USCIS publicized its outdoor ceremony option, it was able to clear its backlog and naturalize 117,000 citizens by the end of July.

The process to become a US citizen is not exactly easy, fast, or cheap — before being able to apply for citizenship, a person needs to have been a green card holder between three and five years, depending on their circumstance.

Eventually they go through an interview that includes a test on American history and civics. The cost for the process adds up to $725, however the Trump administration has recently increased the costs, and it will go up to $1,170 in November.

The last step is to attend the naturalization ceremony where they take the oath of allegiance to the United States, which includes swearing to protect the Constitution and laws of the country.

The outdoor ceremonies are quicker than the indoor ones. But in some ways they're much nicer — here in San Diego at the Cabrillo National Monument, dozens of people became citizens while overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

People drive up, surrender their green cards, and are given a small US flag. Then they drive a little farther to park. They are then asked to get out and stand next to their cars, and finally, the judge presides over the oaths.

Then they receive a certificate that proves citizenship.

For many, it's the final step of a long immigration journey.

"I want to contribute to society. I want to be a part of the United States, not just by words, but actions," said naturalized citizen Martha Cruz Kingswright of Mexico. "If the United States needs me to go to a certain place to work for our nation, I will do it."

"Having been born here, I don't think I can even truly appreciate what it means," said Judge Jill L. Burkhardt, who presided over the ceremony. "These are people … who have worked so hard for so long, and this is truly a dream that they're realizing."