Bill Proposed To Set Standard for Naturalization

Rep. Vito Fossella, of Staten Island, is asking Congress to get involved in an ongoing dispute between the federal judiciary and the executive branch over who will ultimately possess the authority to naturalize citizens. Federal judges in Brooklyn, who naturalize more than 40,000 new citizens each year, have questioned the dignity of the naturalization ceremonies performed by federal immigration officials. Mr. Fossella introduced a bill on Wednesday aimed at setting a standard ceremony for immigration officials to use. The press secretary for Mr. Fossella, Craig Donner, said the bill would not take away from judges the basic authority to naturalize citizens.