Opinion ID: 1349479
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: DISCUSSION a) Statutory Scheme

Text: Under the relevant statutory scheme, the Attorney General has the sole authority to naturalize persons as citizens of the United States. . . . 8 U.S.C. § 1421(a). As noted above, however, there are statutory standards governing naturalization, and naturalization decisions by the CIS (acting for the Attorney General) are subject to judicial review. There are three avenues of judicial review. First, if an application for naturalization is not acted upon within 120 days of the naturalization examination, an applicant can seek a hearing in a district court, which may determine the application or remand it to the CIS with instructions. 8 U.S.C. § 1447(b). Second, if an application is denied after completion of the available administrative review procedures, the applicant is able to seek review of the denial in a district court. 8 U.S.C. § 1421(c). The court is empowered to conduct a de novo review, making its own findings of fact and conclusions of law, and may conduct a hearing de novo. Id. Third, in extreme cases, mandamus relief may be available under U.S.C. § 1361 for a failure to perform a clear, nondiscretionary duty. Heckler v. Ringer, 466 U.S. 602, 616, 104 S.Ct. 2013, 80 L.Ed.2d 622 (1984). [1]