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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

Eastern District of Texas

Honorable Rodney Gilstrap, Chief Judge
David A. O'Toole, Clerk of Court

Naturalization

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What is Naturalization?

Naturalization is the process by which U. S. Citizenship is conferred upon a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The bureau of U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processes all naturalization applications and provides the Court with a list of the candidates selected to be naturalized in the Federal Court.

Currently, the selection consists of only those petitioners who have requested to:

  • Participate in the Naturalization Ceremony and swear the oath of allegiance in a formal court proceeding

  • Change their names legally and have their new names appear on the Certificate of Naturalization.

 

The Naturalization Ceremony

Naturalization ceremonies in the Eastern District of Texas are usually held in the courthouses of either Beaumont or Tyler, or in the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services facility in Irving, Texas. Ceremonies are set when USCIS has enough applicants to hold a ceremony.

On the day of the ceremony, applicants are processed by USCIS Officers. Each petitioner should bring the U. S. Issued "green card," U. S. Issued visas and all other travel documents. A petitioner who is not fluent in English, but who is age 55 or older and has a U. S. permanent residency of more than 20 years, may be accompanied by someone who can interpret in the petitioner’s native language.

Everyone is expected to comply with federal court rules and any other rules of the Court. Please remain quiet during the proceedings and stand when the judge enters or leaves the courtroom. If you must leave while court is in session, please exit quietly. Children are welcome, but if they become unruly or loud, they must be taken out of the ceremony. This is an important day for all the applicants.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Naturalization