ARLINGTON, October 14(HS): Immigrants across the United States are facing disappointment and anxiety as the ongoing federal government shutdown has forced the abrupt cancellation of naturalization ceremonies, leaving thousands who were on the final step to citizenship in a state of uncertain limbo.

Dozens of would-be citizens, who had gathered at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office in Virginia on Saturday, were unceremoniously turned away moments before they were scheduled to take the Oath of Allegiance.

Applicants, clutching small American flags and their naturalization notices, were informed their long-awaited ceremonies were cancelled. Most had received no prior notification, discovering the change only upon arrival or after finding the USCIS website temporarily down.

The cancellations have caused widespread confusion and distress. For many, this was the culmination of years of navigating complex paperwork, interviews, and citizenship tests.

One applicant described seeing a woman in a hijab quietly asking if she was turned away because of her clothing, while another man had to leave with the family he had gathered to celebrate the milestone.

While USCIS is largely funded by application fees and typically remains open during shutdowns, public-facing services are being impacted. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow stated that while the agency regrets any negative impacts, it must ensure it complies with the law, which can lead to delays in interviews and ceremonies.

It remains unclear how many appointments have been cancelled nationwide.The postponements are a direct consequence of the political deadlock in Washington, where Democrats and Republicans have failed to agree on government funding since October 1, placing over 700,000 federal workers on unpaid leave.

For those hoping to finalize their journey to becoming Americans, the Washington stalemate has rippled into their personal lives, compounding anxiety and uncertainty about their futures.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar