The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) should resume citizenship processing and naturalization ceremonies for Cuban and Venezuelan applicants, while also maintaining enhanced security vetting measures, says U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL).
In December 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued guidance placing a hold on final adjudications for certain pending immigration benefit applications from nationals of designated “high-risk” countries, including Cuba and Venezuela, as part of a broader review of vetting procedures. Rep. Salazar says that the guidance has slowed the processing of affected cases, contributing to delays in interviews, final decisions, and naturalization-related steps.
In a March 27 letter sent to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, she outlined three specific requests: to restart immigration benefit and naturalization processing, preserve strengthened security screening, and immediately resume naturalization ceremonies that have been halted.
“While I strongly support increased security vetting measures to ensure we are not letting criminals in the United States, we can ramp up security screening without pausing the naturalization process,” wrote the congresswoman. “The individuals affected by this pause are legal immigrants that have been here, received lawful permanent resident status, and qualify to become citizens.”
Additionally, the DHS secretary should resume immigration benefit and naturalization processing for Cubans and Venezuelans, many of whom fled persecution and violence.
“These individuals have already been thoroughly vetted,” Rep. Salazar wrote.
Toward resuming naturalization ceremonies, she pointed out that the pause in processing has completely shut them off.
“This has prevented tens of thousands of Cubans and Venezuelans, many of whom I know personally, and are eager to participate in a new political system, from becoming American citizens,” she wrote. “With the 250th birthday of our nation right around the corner, there would be nothing more fitting than being able to naturalize new Americans on our semi-quincentennial anniversary, just as we did at the founding of our great nation.”