The Trump administration has announced plans to reinstate a tougher version of the naturalization civics test, setting in motion changes critics say could make it harder for immigrants to become U.S. citizens.
Under the proposed revisions:
The pool of possible civics questions would expand from 100 to 128.
Applicants would have to answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly to pass, instead of the current standard of 6 out of 10.
Some questions will shift in style: there will be more “why” or “how” questions that demand more than a one‐word or simple factual response.
A speaking component may be introduced that uses visual prompts—such as photos—and asks applicants to describe what they see in English, as a way of assessing English fluency in a more dynamic way.
Proponents of the change argue that the current test is “too easy” and does not sufficiently assess whether applicants genuinely understand U.S. government, history, and civic responsibilities. They say revising the test is part of a broader push to ensure new citizens are well informed about the structure of government, the Constitution, and how democracy works.
However, immigration advocates have expressed concern that the tougher test could disproportionately hurt immigrants from non‐English‐speaking backgrounds or those with less formal education. They warn that making the test harder—especially with more complex, analytical questions—could increase failure rates, delay citizenship, and even discourage lawful naturalization for some.
The new version, often referred to as the 2020 test (revived under this administration), was previously introduced during Trump’s first term, then rolled back by the Biden administration in 2021.
The policy is expected to take effect for applicants who file for naturalization after the revised test’s formal publication in the Federal Register. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow has signaled that the agency will begin implementing the changes as part of a multi‐step overhaul of citizenship standards.
Observers are watching how courts, Congress, and immigrant advocacy groups respond — both legally and politically. Questions remain about whether the changes might face challenges on grounds of fairness, access, or constitutional protections.
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