San Jose, California—The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has terminated its contract with the Heritage Theatre in Campbell, California, leading to the relocation of naturalization ceremonies to alternative venues, including the parking lot of the USCIS San Jose Field Office.
Key Facts:
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Contract Termination: USCIS ended its contract with the Heritage Theatre effective March 12, 2025.
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Ceremony Relocation: Naturalization ceremonies previously held at the Heritage Theatre are now being conducted at the USCIS San Jose Field Office parking lot.
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Impact on New Citizens: The relocation affects hundreds of immigrants who were scheduled to take their Oath of Allegiance at the Heritage Theatre.
The Heritage Theatre had been hosting naturalization ceremonies once a month since around 2010, serving more than 1,000 people in a day. The sudden contract termination has led to confusion among applicants, with some arriving at the Heritage Theatre only to find notices directing them to the new location.
Community members have expressed disappointment over the change, noting the importance of the naturalization ceremony as a milestone in the immigration journey. Local officials in Campbell have acknowledged the federal decision and are directing affected individuals to contact USCIS directly for further information.
This development highlights the challenges faced by federal agencies in maintaining venue contracts for large-scale events. The relocation to a parking lot setting has raised concerns about the dignity and significance of the naturalization process, prompting discussions about securing appropriate venues that reflect the importance of the occasion.
USCIS has advised individuals scheduled for naturalization ceremonies to check their notices for updated locations and contact the agency directly with any questions. The agency is exploring alternative venues to accommodate future ceremonies.
Do You Know? The Oath of Allegiance is the final step in the U.S. naturalization process, during which immigrants pledge their loyalty to the United States and commit to upholding its Constitution and laws.
Key Terms:
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Naturalization Ceremony: A formal event where immigrants take the Oath of Allegiance, completing the process to become U.S. citizens.
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USCIS: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency responsible for overseeing lawful immigration to the United States, including the naturalization process.
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Termination for Convenience: A contract clause that allows one party to terminate the agreement without cause, provided certain conditions are met.