NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey town is refusing to hold a naturalization ceremony at its borough hall, claiming federal immigration officials are refusing to allow the event to begin with a prayer.

Carteret (kahr-tehr-EHT’) Mayor Daniel Reiman (RYE’-mahn) has requested that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services relocate the Saturday ceremony. He says he was told by immigration officials that the borough’s policy of opening events with a nondenominational prayer could not take place.

A spokeswoman for the immigration agency says it has a long-standing policy that citizenship ceremonies be free from political, commercial and religious statements. Its website notes, however, that new citizens must recite an oath that contains the phrase “so help me God.”

Reiman says the immigration service can “host its godless ceremony someplace else.”

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