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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CLERK ·"" ' 11
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
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In Re: uS 01sm1~ { CCUi\i
r;,6LiTHE.RN DIST. OHIO
NATURALIZATIONS UNDER THE t.AST. O\V. COLUMBUS
ONGOING EXIGENT CIRCUMSTANCES GENERAL ORDER NO 20-16
CREATED BY COVID-19
On March 12, 2020, this Court issued General Order 20-03 suspending all Naturalization
hearings for forty-five days due to the COVID-19 pandemic (General Order 20-03). On April 13,
2020, the Court extended that suspension to and including May 28, 2020 (General Order No.
20-11).
Since this Court issued General Order 20-03, the COVID-19 pandemic has continued its
spread throughout the Southern District of Ohio and the United States, resulting in growing
hospitalizations and fatalities, with deaths reaching 100,000 in the early days of this week.
As codified in General Order 20-08, the President has invoked the National Emergencies
Act, 50 U.S.C. § 1601, et seq., and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has likewise declared a state of
emergency, both of which mandate social distancing and limit large indoor gatherings.
Accordingly, this Court has stayed in-Court proceedings and closed the Southern District of Ohio
Courts to the public until June 1, 2020.
As recounted in General Order 20-03, pursuant to Title 8 of United States Code
§ 1421 (b)(l)(B), federal judges in the Southern District of Ohio have the exclusive authority to
administer the oath of allegiance to persons seeking to become naturalized citizens of the United
States. Our exclusive authority to administer the oath applies only during the forty-five day period
beginning on the date on which the Attorney General certifies to the Court that an applicant is
eligible for naturalization. 8 U.S.C. § 1421(b)(3)(A). Due to the continued invocation of the
National Emergencies Act, Governor DeWine's state of emergency, and the spread of the
COVID-19 pandemic, this Court will continue its Order suspending all Naturalization proceedings
within this district until June 11, 2020. This decision is made for the health and safety of all Court
personnel and visitors to the Court. This third temporary suspension of naturalization proceedings
will not divest the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio of its exclusive
authority to administer the oath of allegiance to persons seeking to become naturalized citizens in
this District. See 8 U.S.C. § 1421(b)(3)(A).
Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that effective May 28, 2020:
THERE SHALL BE NO NATURALIZATION
PROCEEDINGS IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF omo
UNTIL JUNE 11, 2020.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
ALGENONL.MARBLEY
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
DATED: May 28, 2020
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