I 
110TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1883 
To codify procedures regarding naturalization ceremonies conducted by the 
Secretary of Homeland Security. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 17, 2007 
Mr. FOSSELLA introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on the Judiciary 
A BILL 
To codify procedures regarding naturalization ceremonies 
conducted by the Secretary of Homeland Security. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. ADMINISTRATIVE NATURALIZATION CERE-
MONIES. 
Section 337 of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
(8 U.S.C. 1448) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(e)(1) The ceremonies described in subsection (d) 
shall, at a minimum, contain the following events: 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:45 Apr 19, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1883.IH
H1883
jcorcoran on PROD1PC62 with BILLS
‘‘(A) The introduction will consist of pre-
paratory remarks to explain the nature and sig-
nificance of the ceremony as well as an intro-
duction of the Department of Homeland Secu-
rity representative conducting the ceremony and 
special guests, participants, or groups. 
‘‘(B) The introduction of the new citizens 
may be accomplished either by Department of 
Homeland Security personnel or by the individ-
uals themselves. The name and country of ori-
gin of each applicant should be included. If it 
is not practical to include the name of each ap-
plicant due to the size of the group being natu-
ralized, a brief statement setting forth the num-
ber of persons to be administered the oath and 
their countries of origin should be made. 
‘‘(C) The oath of allegiance is administered 
by a Department of Homeland Security officer 
consistent with this section. 
‘‘(D) The new citizens should be requested 
to recite the pledge of allegiance to the flag of 
the United States. Either Service personnel, a 
guest, or one of the new citizens may lead the 
group. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:45 Apr 19, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1883.IH
H1883
jcorcoran on PROD1PC62 with BILLS
‘‘(E) A guest speaker (e.g., prominent civic 
leader, naturalized citizen, judge, etc.) or a De-
partment of Homeland Security official will de-
liver appropriate remarks. A prepared state-
ment or congratulatory message from the Presi-
dent, Attorney General, or Commissioner may 
be used. The address should focus on the form 
and distinctiveness of the United States Gov-
ernment and the privileges and responsibilities 
of citizenship. 
‘‘(F) Civic and patriotic groups (e.g., 
D.A.R., League of Women Voters, Veterans of 
Foreign Wars, Boy Scouts, etc.) should be in-
troduced and allowed to present brief congratu-
latory remarks or special programs. 
‘‘(G) An individual commencement-style 
presentation should be used if possible; or the 
certificate may be delivered at the conclusion of 
the ceremony. Subsequent delivery via mail 
should be avoided. The new citizens are to be 
provided with appropriate commemorative ma-
terial, and the President’s welcoming letter. 
‘‘(2) Ceremonies may include activities in addition to 
those specified in paragraph (1) if the activities are in 
keeping with the dignity of the occasion. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:45 Apr 19, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1883.IH
H1883
jcorcoran on PROD1PC62 with BILLS
‘‘(3) Care should be taken to avoid associating cere-
monies with such activities as partisan political functions, 
denominational religious functions, sporting events, or 
functions designed to draw crowds unrelated to the cere-
mony and which would not be in keeping with the dignity 
of the naturalization process. 
‘‘(f)(1) The ceremonies described in subsection (d) 
may be conducted at— 
‘‘(A) Department of Homeland Security offices 
or facilities; 
‘‘(B) public sites such as city, county, state or 
Federal buildings; 
‘‘(C) school auditoriums, possibly as a part of 
civics curricula; 
‘‘(D) court facilities; 
‘‘(E) historic sites (ideally as a part of special 
commemorative events); 
‘‘(F) Outreach locations, such as community 
agencies or fraternal organizations; or 
‘‘(G) other appropriate facilities in keeping with 
the dignity of the occasion. 
‘‘(2) The decor of the oath ceremony location must 
be in keeping with the dignity and importance of the con-
ferring of United States citizenship. While the Depart-
ment of Homeland Security office need not copy doggedly 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:45 Apr 19, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1883.IH
H1883
jcorcoran on PROD1PC62 with BILLS
the decor of a typical Federal court house, such type of 
decor should be kept in mind when planning ceremonies. 
At a minimum, the flag of the United States and the De-
partment of Homeland Security pennant will be promi-
nently displayed. A dais or podium should be provided for 
the use of the officiating employees and speakers. Facili-
ties must be clean and neat. When planning space require-
ments, ample provision must be made for the guests of 
new citizens. 
‘‘(g) A separate calendar reflecting dates of adminis-
trative oath ceremonies for the calendar year shall be com-
pleted for each Department of Homeland Security office 
conducting naturalization activities. It shall be completed 
by January 31 of each year. The calendar, in addition to 
the dates of the ceremonies, must reflect the location of 
each ceremony and the number of persons to be scheduled 
for the ceremony. It must also indicate the total number 
of oath ceremonies actually held in the prior calendar year, 
and the number of abbreviated ceremonies held pursuant 
to subsection (h). 
‘‘(h)(1) When a district director or officer-in-charge 
determines that it is in the national interest that an appli-
cant not wait until a scheduled oath ceremony to be ad-
ministered the oath, an abbreviated oath ceremony may 
be held. In such case, only those items listed in subpara-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:45 Apr 19, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1883.IH
H1883
jcorcoran on PROD1PC62 with BILLS