The Trump administration is preparing to reinstate a more rigorous version of the American citizenship test, signaling a renewed push to strengthen the naturalization process and elevate the symbolic weight of becoming an American citizen.
Joseph Edlow, the newly appointed director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), confirmed that the agency will overhaul the current exam, arguing that it is too simplistic and fails to reflect the seriousness of American civic responsibility.
“The test, as it’s laid out right now, it’s not very difficult,” Edlow told The New York Times. “It’s very easy to kind of memorize the answers. I don’t think we’re really comporting with the spirit of the law.”
What’s Changing?
The current naturalization test requires applicants to answer six out of 10 civics questions correctly, drawn from a pool of 100. It also includes basic assessments of English reading, writing, and speaking skills. Roughly 90% of test-takers pass on their first attempt.
Under the proposed changes, USCIS plans to bring back the 2020 version of the test, originally implemented during President Trump’s first term. That version expanded the question bank to 128 questions and increased the required correct answers to 12 out of 20.
Additionally, the updated exam would introduce a visual-speaking component. Immigration officers would present applicants with images — such as weather conditions, meals, or everyday activities — and ask them to describe the scenes in English. The goal, Edlow said, is to better assess practical English fluency and deepen applicants’ understanding of American culture and civics.
Supporters Say It’s About Upholding Standards
The Trump administration argues that tougher standards reinforce the value of citizenship and ensure that new Americans are equipped to engage fully in civic life.
President Trump, a long time critic of lax immigration standards, called citizenship “one of the most priceless gifts ever granted by human hands.” His administration views more rigorous testing requirements as a step toward preserving the value of American citizenship.
Edlow echoed this sentiment, saying the changes are meant to bring the test more in line with the spirit of assimilation — and not merely serve as a box-checking exercise.
Critics Warn of Barriers for Vulnerable Immigrants
However, immigration advocates and educators caution that the proposed revisions could make naturalization harder for those with limited education, literacy challenges, or refugee backgrounds.
“We have a lot of students that are refugees, and they’re coming from war-torn countries where maybe they didn’t have a chance to complete school or even go to school,” said Mechelle Perrott, a citizenship coordinator at San Diego Community College District’s College of Continuing Education. “It’s more difficult learning to read and write if you don’t know how to do that in your first language.”
Opponents also worry that the new visual component could disadvantage older immigrants or those unfamiliar with standardized testing formats. “It’s not just about knowledge,” Perrott added, “it’s about access.”
A Test with a History of Politics
The citizenship test has seen several revisions over the past two decades. It was standardized under President George W. Bush in 2008, expanded during Trump’s first term in 2020, and scaled back under President Biden in 2021.
A new version was drafted in late 2024 but shelved after negative feedback from immigrant advocates and educators. The Trump administration now appears determined to revisit and restore its original vision.
Citizenship by the Numbers
In 2024, nearly 820,000 immigrants became U.S. citizens, bringing the total number of naturalizations since 2022 to over 1 million.
The administration has not yet confirmed a timeline for rolling out the new test, but officials say it could be implemented within the next year.
As the debate over immigration continues to shape the political landscape, the citizenship test is becoming a symbol in the broader culture war over American identity and belonging.
