Remote Naturalization Act

Bill: 117-hr-4858
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]
Introduced: 2021-07-29
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Citizenship and naturalization

Congressional oversight

Disaster relief and insurance

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Immigration status and procedures

Infectious and parasitic diseases

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media

User charges and fees

War and emergency powers
Latest action: action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-07-29
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Remote Naturalization Act</strong></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to establish procedures to provide for remote oath ceremonies for naturalization, including through the use of videoconferencing technology. </p> <p>Under this bill, the option to participate in a remote oath ceremony shall be available to an individual with an approved naturalization application who is unable to attend a ceremony in person, including if in-person ceremonies have been cancelled due to a declared national emergency.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4858 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 29, 2021 Mrs. Torres of California (for herself, Mr. Espaillat , and Mr. Correa ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To permit remote oath ceremonies, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Remote Naturalization Act . 2. Accommodations for naturalization oath ceremonies The Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq. ) is amended by inserting after section 337 the following: 337A. Remote oath ceremonies (a) Remote oath ceremonies Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish procedures for the administration of the oath of renunciation and allegiance under section 337 using remote videoconferencing, or other remote means for individuals who cannot reasonably access, understand, or use remote videoconferencing, as an alternative to an in-person oath ceremony. (b) Eligible individuals Notwithstanding section 310(b), an individual may complete the naturalization process by participating in a remote oath ceremony conducted pursuant to subsection (a) if such individual— (1) has an approved application for naturalization; (2) is unable otherwise to complete the naturalization process due to— (A) the cancellation or suspension of in-person oath ceremonies during— (i) a national emergency declared by the President under the National Emergencies Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. ); (ii) an emergency or major disaster declared by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. ); (iii) a public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 247d ); or (iv) any emergency that, in the judgment of the Secretary of Homeland Security, is appropriate for the cancellation or suspension of such ceremonies; or (B) the inability of the individual to attend the ceremony in person; and (3) elects to participate in a remote oath ceremony in lieu of waiting for an in-person ceremony. (c) Additional requirements Upon establishing the procedures described in subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall— (1) without undue delay, provide written notice to individuals described in subsection (b)(1) of the option of participating in a remote oath ceremony in lieu of a participating in an in-person ceremony; (2) to the greatest extent practicable, ensure that remote oath ceremonies are administered to individuals who elect to participate in such a ceremony not later than 30 days after the individual so notifies the Secretary; and (3) administer oath ceremonies to all other eligible individuals as expeditiously as possible after the end of the public health emergency referred to in subsection (b)(2). (d) Clarification Failure to appear for a remote oath ceremony shall not create a presumption that the individual has abandoned his or her intent to be naturalized. (e) Report to Congress Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, and each year thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit a report to Congress that identifies, for each State and political subdivision of a State, the number of— (1) individuals who were scheduled for an in-person oath ceremony that was cancelled due to an emergency described in subsection (b)(2)(A); (2) individuals who elected to participate in a remote oath ceremony in lieu of an in-person public ceremony; (3) individuals who completed the naturalization process by participating in a remote oath ceremony; and (4) remote oath ceremonies that were conducted in the previous year. (f) Funding In addition to any funds appropriated to carry out this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security may use funds from the Immigration Examinations Fee Account under section 286(m) to carry out this section. .