House passes bill that would allow lawmakers to swear in American citizens

The House on Wednesday passed a bill that would allow
lawmakers to swear in new U.S. citizens.

The bipartisan measure, introduced by Rep. José Serrano
(D-N.Y.), passed by a majority vote and now goes to the Senate for consideration.
The bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act and give members of
Congress, delegates and resident commissioners the power to administer the
American oath of allegiance to people who have passed through the U.S.
naturalization process.

{mosads}The legislation would not alter any of the details
surrounding naturalization requirements as outlined and enforced by the U.S. Bureau
of Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Currently, the attorney general and designated immigration
judges are the only authorities allowed to administer the oath to incoming U.S.
citizens.

A woman in Serrano’s Bronx district asked him several years
ago if he would swear her in as a new U.S. citizen. He soon realized that
lawmakers weren’t allowed to give the oath.

“For me the idea to partake in something like this, which is
such a joyous occasion, is so special,” said Serrano in an interview with The
Hill.

Serrano said that the measure would strengthen the bond that
new citizens have with the American government by personalizing their
relationship with their member of Congress. Serrano added that he wasn’t
concerned that the participation of lawmakers in the ceremony would alter the
political views of the new citizens. 

Initially, some Republicans were wary about various sections
of the bill, so Serrano modified it to stipulate that lawmakers cannot
administer the oath of allegiance in a naturalization ceremony if it falls
within 90 days of an election, he said.

Other provisions in the bill prevent members who
are set to
administer the oath from choosing the timing or the place of the
ceremony. All
of the details surrounding the timing and planning of the ceremony will
continue to be coordinated by the attorney general’s office, and
lawmakers may only give the oath at ceremonies in their own district. 

If the measure gets signed into law, Serrano hopes it
will make smaller, more intimate naturalization ceremonies more common, in
addition to the large ceremonies such as the one held in Boston earlier this
week where more than 5,000 people became U.S. citizens.

Republicans who have backed the measure include Reps. Mary Bono Mack
(Calif.), Dan Burton (Ind.), Ron Paul (Texas), Phil Gingrey (Ga.) and Don Young
(Alaska).

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), a cosponsor of the measure,
told The Hill that his office has facilitated with the citizenship application
of more than 50,000 people over the past 18 years, and has always wanted to
partake in the naturalization ceremonies.