The US government is implementing significant reforms to the citizenship process, bringing back a variant of the civics test first implemented under the Trump administration.
The revised test introduces additional questions and increases the passing threshold, another move in closing legal immigration under President Trump’s second term.
What’s changing in the citizenship test
Today, immigrants seeking American citizenship are required to fulfill a number of prerequisites, such as lawful permanent residence for 3 or 5 years, depending on their situation, the capacity to read, write and speak English, and a sufficient knowledge of U.S. history and government. The civics test has been employed since long ago to evaluate the latter requirement.
Under the new format, candidates will be required to read 128 questions on U.S. politics and history and get 12 out of 20 correct. In contrast, the previous 2008 version of the test saw candidates study 100 questions and get 6 out of 10 correct.
The examination still continues orally, with no multiple-choice, and most questions have multiple correct answers. Candidates who fail once are allowed a second attempt. In case they fail again, their citizenship application is rejected.
Some test-takers will continue to be eligible for accommodations. Applicants 65 years and older who have been legal permanent residents of the U.S. for a minimum of 20 years are required to study only 20 questions and can take the test in their language of preference.
When the revised test comes into effect
In accordance with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the revised test will be taken by applicants who naturalize after mid-October. The new questions target the 10th Amendment, the Federalist Papers, Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, among others, and Founding Fathers such as Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. Other questions identify major American innovations.
Broader immigration overhaul
The stricter test is just one of a number of steps the Trump administration has taken in recent weeks to retool the legal immigration system. USCIS has broadened its review of applicants’ “good moral character,” a longstanding naturalization requirement.
Another contentious move has been the revival of “neighborhood checks,” a sleeping practice where examiners interview neighbors and coworkers of applicants to determine if they’re suitable for citizenship.
USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser explained the actions as being intended to promote more vigorous assimilation. “American citizenship is the most revered citizenship on the globe and must be reserved only for those aliens who will adopt in full our values and principles as a nation,” he told the publication. He said making the 2020 civics test mandatory again was “the first of many” changes.
Backlash from advocates
Immigrant rights organizations criticized the changes forcefully, arguing that they add a further layer of obstacles for long-term residents who are already making contributions to U.S. society. Jennifer Ibañez Whitlock, a senior policy counsel at the National Immigration Law Center, argued: “All this does is make it more difficult for long-time residents who give back to this nation day in and day out to finally obtain the permanent protections that only U.S. citizenship can provide.”
Broader context of Trump’s immigration agenda
Since President Trump’s return to the White House, his administration has proceeded with a fast pace to increase vetting procedures for all forms of immigration benefits, such as green cards and work permits. Some of these changes have seen greater examination of applicants’ social media posts and even USCIS officer guidance to probe “anti-American” sentiments and activities.
The new test of citizenship echoes the administration’s wider philosophy of tightening legal immigration, with officials packaging the changes as a way to shield American values and national security. The policies are designed to deter lawful immigration and place extraneous obstacles in the way of those seeking to become citizens, critics say.
What it means for applicants
For potential citizens, the bottom-line effect is plain: the civics test is tougher, and the larger process involves more intense vetting of applicants’ histories and conduct. Though USCIS maintains that the changes enhance the naturalization process, immigration rights activists warn that the policies may stall or deny citizenship for thousands who have resided, worked, and built families in the U.S. for years.
Since the new regulations become effective after mid-October, the controversy regarding who becomes an American citizen, and under what terms, will probably heat up, determining the fate of legal immigration in America.
Leo Cruz brings sharp insights into the world of politics, offering balanced reporting and analysis on the latest policies, elections, and global political events. With years of experience covering campaigns and interviewing world leaders, Leo ensures readers are always informed and engaged.
