Virtual Naturalization Act of 2021
Bill: H.R.5518 | Sponsor: Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. (D-TX)
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
Virtual Naturalization Act of 2021
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to establish procedures for conducting remote naturalization oath ceremonies. An individual may complete the naturalization process by participating in such a remote oath ceremony in lieu of an in-person ceremony.

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Secretary of 
 Homeland Security to establish remote oath ceremonies, and for other 
                               purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Virtual Naturalization Act of 
2021''.

SEC. 2. REMOTE OATH CEREMONIES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
establish procedures for the remote administration of the oath of 
renunciation and allegiance under section 337 of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1448), as an alternative to an in-person oath 
ceremony. Such procedures shall--
            (1) use videoconferencing and other technologies the 
        Secretary determines are appropriate to ensure that remote 
        ceremonies are secure and stable;
            (2) require the least burdensome means practicable--
                    (A) for confirming the identities of remote 
                ceremony participants; and
                    (B) for remote ceremony participants to--
                            (i) surrender their permanent residence 
                        cards to the Secretary; and
                            (ii) submit their completed Form N-445, 
                        Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony (or any 
                        successor form) to the Secretary; and
            (3) include the distribution of Form M-771, the U.S. 
        Citizenship Welcome Packet (or any successor form), and any 
        other materials the Secretary determines are appropriate, to 
        remote ceremony participants.
    (b) Remote Oath Ceremonies.--Section 337 (8 U.S.C. 1448) of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act is amended by--
            (1) redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
            (2) inserting after subsection (c) the following:
    ``(d) Remote Oath Ceremonies.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding section 310(b), an 
        individual may complete the naturalization process by 
        participating in a remote oath ceremony, in accordance with 
        procedures for such ceremonies established by the Secretary of 
        Homeland Security, if such individual--
                    ``(A) has an approved application for 
                naturalization; and
                    ``(B) elects to participate in a remote oath 
                ceremony in lieu of an in-person ceremony.
            ``(2) Public requirement satisfied.--A remote oath ceremony 
        conducted under this subsection satisfies the requirement for a 
        public ceremony under this section.''.
    (c) Certificate of Naturalization.--Section 338 of the Immigration 
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1449) is amended by inserting ``or, if 
admitted to citizenship pursuant to section 337(d), within 30 days of 
such admission,'' after ``upon such admission''.
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