Congress pushes to resume suspended citizenship processes

Naturalizations suspended in the US

Letter to DHS

Migrants in limbo

Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar sent a letter this Tuesday to the new Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin.

In the document, she requested the resumption of naturalization ceremonies for Cubans and Venezuelans.

These ceremonies were suspended under the administration of President Donald Trump.

The measure is part of a broader policy affecting immigration processes in the United States.

What did Salazar request from DHS?

María Elvira Salazar calls for the resumption of naturalization processes for Cubans and Venezuelans in the U.S. https://t.co/0V8EMwia2R

— AlbertoRodNews (@AlbertoRodNews) March 31, 2026

Salazar requested the reactivation of immigration benefit processing and suspended naturalizations.

She also asked to maintain strengthened security screening measures.

The congresswoman insisted on “immediately resuming” the suspended ceremonies.

This would represent an exception to the government order announced in early December.

Context of suspended naturalizations in the US

Suspended Naturalizations in the US. Photo ChatGPT

That order halted immigration applications from multiple countries, including Cuba, Venezuela, and Haiti.

The decision has directly impacted processes overseen by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

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These include permanent residency, naturalization, and other immigration benefits.

As a result, interviews and ceremonies have been canceled.

Impact of suspended naturalizations on thousands of migrants

The suspended naturalizations policy has left many applicants in legal uncertainty.

Salazar warned about the impact in South Florida.

This region is home to large Cuban and Venezuelan communities.

According to her, tens of thousands of cases remain pending.

Many applicants are stuck in what she described as “immigration limbo.”

This means they cannot complete their process or take the oath of citizenship.

She emphasized that many have already met all requirements and passed security checks.

“These are people who fled persecution and violence,” she wrote.

She added that they have followed the law throughout the process.

Salazar stated that they should not face unnecessary delays for administrative reasons.

Political context and pressure in Florida

The request occurs in a complex political context.

Lawmakers in South Florida face pressure ahead of midterm elections.

In that region, the immigration issue has high electoral impact.

Salazar, a member of the Republican Party, seeks to balance positions.

On one hand, she supports Trump’s pressure toward Cuba and Venezuela.

On the other, she recognizes the impact of migration restrictions on her communities.

The suspension of processes occurred after new immigration measures by the Government.

These restrictions followed the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington.

The incident was attributed to an Afghan with asylum.

From that context, controls were tightened and processes were paused.

The request by Salazar reflects the political challenge in Florida.

It also highlights the tension between national security and pending immigration processes.

Her letter seeks to unblock a situation that keeps thousands of people waiting.

Meanwhile, the future of these processes will depend on the DHS response.