MAZZOLI. for the work he has done on this bill. He has been very forthcoming in addressing two concerns. One is the need for an expedited naturalization process under exigent circumstances. and the other is maintaining sole naturalization authority in the Attorney General while providing for judicial administration of the oath of allegiance. By keeping the paperwork involved in naturalization centralized in the Immigration and Naturalization Service. H.R. 3049 provides for administrative efficiency. By giving the courts an exclusive but limited jurisdiction over administering the oath of allegiance. it promotes a sense of momentousness for the naturalization of new citizens. Under this bill. if an eligible court does not choose to exercise its jurisdiction. or if it cannot schedule an oath administering ceremony within 45 days. the courts authority will not be exclusive. and the applicant will be able to choose whether to wait for a judicial ceremony or participate in an administration ceremony. Because there are instances where a 45day delay in naturalization could work a hardship. H.R. 3049 also provides for an expedited process for administration of the oath in instances where the naturalization applicant can show exigent circumstances. This bill expedites naturalization while maintaining the sense of solemnity that rightly should accompany such an important event in a persons life. Both the Department of Justice and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts are generally supportive of H.R. 3049. It is a fair compromise. and I encourage my colleagues to support it.
Keywords matched
naturalization Immigration Naturalization