Since last July, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has refused to hold naturalization ceremonies with the City and County of Denver — a tit-for-tat move that follows the city’s decision to protect immigrants from federal enforcement.

Naturalization ceremonies mark the culmination and celebration of a years-long process for individuals to become American citizens, and often include flags, certificates and public showings of support.

But as of July 5, 2019, none of those public demonstrations of civic pride could be hosted by Denver city government, as first reported by Denverite. Applicants can still take oaths at federal offices.

“The mission of USCIS is to both celebrate American citizenship through naturalization ceremonies as well as protect the homeland by ensuring the integrity of our immigration system,” Jessica Collins, a citizenship and immigration spokeswoman, said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the City and County of Denver chooses not to work with USCIS on investigations of potential fraud, which negatively impacts USCIS’ ability to fairly and accurately adjudicate cases involving national security concerns and fraud. Given the situation, USCIS will not be able to collaborate with the City and County of Denver to hold naturalization ceremonies until the City and County of Denver cooperates on the overall USCIS’ mission.”

Mike Strott, spokesman for the mayor’s office, said the city was “obviously disappointed in the decision.”

“This was a longstanding partnership,” he said. “It’s an important ceremony for people who have come to this country to basically start over and have a better life.”

In 2017, Denver City Council passed ordinances preventing local law enforcement from working with federal immigration authorities. Police cannot ask people about immigration or citizenship status, and city departments are forbidden from sharing information about people for the purposes of immigration enforcement.

The ordinances place Denver in a group of so-called sanctuary cities, whose polices have rankled federal authorities and the Trump administration.

In April, Trump threatened to ship detained immigrants to Democratic cities such as Denver, a move Mayor Michael Hancock derided. The mayor in 2018 refused an invitation to the White House after the Justice Department threatened to subpoena information regarding Denver’s sanctuary policies.

And last March, the state sued the Trump administration for withholding millions of dollars in law enforcement grant funding due to its immigration enforcement policies.

“It’s pretty obvious this administration and the city has a fundamental disagreement with the White House and their approach to immigration,” Strott said.