naturalization court
naturalization court. A court having jurisdiction to hear and decide naturalization petitions. • Naturalization courts were abolished as a result of the Immigration Act of 1990. Under current U.S. law, the Attorney General has the sole authority to naturalize citizens. But after a hearing before an immigration officer, an applicant may seek review of the denial of an application for naturalization in the federal district court for the district in which the applicant resides. If an applicant is certified to be eligible for naturalization, the oath of allegiance may be administered by the Attorney General, a federal district court, or a state court of record. See oath of allegiance under OATH. [Cases: Aliens 68. C.J.S. Aliens § 299.]
