CLERK'S OFFICE U.S. DIST. COURT
AT ROANOKE, VA
FILED
MAY 1 2 2022
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA C RK
JULl~DLEY
BY:
C K
IN THE MATTER OF:
SUSPENSION OF NATURALIZATION Twelfth Amended
CEREMONIES IN THE WESTERN Standing Order No. 2020-3
DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
The United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia has continued to
closely monitor the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), as well as the
developing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and
local health authorities. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in the spring of 2020, the court
has suspended in person naturalization ceremonies in the Western District of Virginia to protect
the public health.
Currently, COVID-19 hospitalizations are approaching their lowest reported levels since
the pandemic began, and the majority of courthouses and court facilities in this District are
located in cities with "Low" COVID-19 community transmission levels as determined by the
CDC. Currently, there are four counties with "Medium" community transmission levels in our
District. Although the transmissions levels for COVID-19 have dropped, the CDC continues to
recommend avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
To balance the need to conduct naturalization ceremonies with the public health issues
attendant to the ongoing pandemic, the court will suspend routine scheduling of naturalization
ceremonies for non-name-change applicants in the Western District of Virginia until December
31, 2022. Special events, such as the July 4, 2022 naturalization ceremony at Monticello, and
other such events, may be held by separate order of the court. During this temporary period of
suspension and until further Order of this Court, the Attorney General of the United States,
acting through the USCIS, may administer the Oath of Allegiance to all non-name-change
applicants for naturalization residing in the Western District of Virginia. See 8 U.S.C. § 1421.
Beginning June 1, 2022, candidates who elect to change their name via the naturalization
process and require a judicial ceremony will be scheduled to appear in person at the Western
District of Virginia court near their residence and be sworn in by the Judges of the Court.
It is so ORDERED. ~ }11,11 .
Entered this l!:::___ day of fYl,.r , 2022.
~'rvc-- .
Michael F. Urbanski
Chief United States D1strict Judge
