Republican Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar has reached out to the newly appointed Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, with a formal request to restart the citizenship processes and naturalization ceremonies for Cubans and Venezuelans in South Florida, ensuring that national security remains intact.
Salazar shared her letter on social media platform X, highlighting how numerous individuals, particularly Cubans and Venezuelans, remain caught in uncertainty despite adhering to all legal protocols.
"They have complied with the law, passed all screenings, and rightfully deserve this," she emphasized.
Dated March 27, the letter follows Mullin's recent confirmation as the ninth Secretary of Homeland Security. He assumed office after a Senate vote of 54-45 on March 23, with his inauguration the following day.
Salazar, who previously worked alongside Mullin in Congress, urged him to prioritize the resumption of immigration benefits processing and naturalizations for Cuban and Venezuelan nationals as one of his first actions at the helm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
"Many of these Cuban and Venezuelan nationals fled persecution and violence and are eager to truly live the American dream," the Cuban-American politician noted. "These individuals have already undergone thorough vetting."
Background on the Halted Processes
The suspension Salazar seeks to lift was initiated by USCIS on December 2 through memorandum PM-602-0192, indefinitely halting all immigration benefit requests—including naturalizations, residencies, and citizenship ceremonies—for nationals from 19 high-risk countries, including Cuba and Venezuela.
This action was taken by then-Secretary Kristi Noem following a fatal shooting involving two National Guard members in Washington D.C. by an Afghan national. A subsequent memorandum issued on January 1 expanded the list to 39 countries plus the Palestinian Authority.
Noem's tenure ended in March 2026 amid controversies over her immigration policies, including raids in Minneapolis resulting in the deaths of two U.S. citizens.
Impacts on Local Communities
Salazar suggested maintaining enhanced security measures without halting naturalization processes. "We can increase security checks without stopping the naturalization process," she argued.
"The individuals affected by this suspension are lawful immigrants who have been here, acquired legal permanent residency, and qualify to become citizens," she explained.
The congresswoman pointed out the direct impact on Miami, a city that traditionally hosts numerous naturalization ceremonies each year. "The suspension has completely shut this down," she warned, noting it has prevented "tens of thousands of Cubans and Venezuelans, many of whom I know personally," from becoming U.S. citizens.
A Call for Action
Salazar has previously diverged from her party's hardline stance on this issue, having publicly criticized the suspension last December as "un-American" and a "collective punishment" against legal immigrants.
In her concluding argument, the congresswoman invoked the symbolic significance of the nation's 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026: "There would be nothing more fitting than to naturalize new Americans on our semiquincentennial anniversary, just as we did at the founding of our great nation."
FAQs on Citizenship Processes for Cubans and Venezuelans
Why did USCIS suspend citizenship processes for certain countries?
USCIS suspended citizenship processes due to a memo issued on December 2, following security concerns after a fatal incident in Washington D.C. This pause affected nationals from countries deemed high-risk, including Cuba and Venezuela.
What is Maria Elvira Salazar advocating for?
Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar is advocating for the resumption of citizenship and naturalization processes for Cubans and Venezuelans, emphasizing that these individuals have complied with all legal requirements and deserve citizenship.
How has the suspension affected Miami?
The suspension has halted naturalization ceremonies in Miami, a city that typically holds numerous such events annually, impacting tens of thousands of Cubans and Venezuelans seeking U.S. citizenship.