On September 17, 2025—federally recognized as Citizenship Day—the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced sweeping changes to the nation’s citizenship test, marking the start of what officials describe as a “multi-step overhaul” of the naturalization process. The move, which reinstates elements of a 2020 exam first introduced under President Donald Trump’s administration, has set off a wave of debate, curiosity, and concern among immigrants, advocates, and policy experts across the country.
According to Newsweek and Nexstar, the updated Natural Civics Test will expand the pool of possible questions from 100 to 128. Applicants will now face up to 20 questions during their oral exam, needing to answer at least 12 correctly to pass—a significant increase from the previous requirement of six correct answers out of 10. The questions, which are not multiple choice, cover a broad sweep of U.S. history, government, and civics. Some have multiple correct answers, and the full list is publicly available so that prospective citizens can prepare in advance.
“These critical changes are the first of many,” stated USCIS Spokesperson Matthew Tragesser, as reported by NPR. Tragesser added, “American citizenship is the most sacred citizenship in the world and should only be reserved for aliens who will fully embrace our values and principles as a nation. By ensuring only those aliens who meet all eligibility requirements, including the ability to read, write, and speak English and understand U.S. government and civics, are able to naturalize, the American people can be assured that those joining us as fellow citizens are fully assimilated and will contribute to America’s greatness.”
The new test, according to CBS News via Nexstar, introduces new content accounting for roughly 25% of the questions, while about 75% remain similar to previous versions. Among the fresh topics are questions about historical figures like Dwight Eisenhower, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison, as well as the significance of the Federalist Papers and the 10th Amendment—which addresses states’ rights. Other sample questions include “Name one American Indian tribe in the United States,” “Where is the Statue of Liberty?” and “What did the civil rights movement do?” The questions are divided into categories such as System of Government, Rights and Responsibilities, and the Colonial Period and Independence.
One notable procedural change is that immigration officers will now only ask as many questions as needed to determine whether an applicant has passed or failed. In the previous 2020 iteration, all 20 questions had to be asked regardless of the applicant’s performance. Under the new system, the questioning will stop once an applicant has either answered 12 correctly (securing a pass) or missed 9 (resulting in failure). Applicants are allowed two attempts at the test; failing twice leads to denial of citizenship. Special consideration remains for applicants aged 65 and over who have been legal permanent residents for at least 20 years—they will continue to answer just 10 questions, needing 6 correct answers to pass.
The test is just one part of a broader set of requirements for naturalization. Applicants must also demonstrate that they have lived lawfully in the U.S. for three to five years, show that they can read, write, and speak English, and prove “good moral character.” Recent policy adjustments, as highlighted by Newsweek, include the resumption of neighborhood checks—meaning that agents may interview neighbors, colleagues, and associates to corroborate an applicant’s eligibility. These measures, the administration argues, are necessary to maintain the integrity of the naturalization process.
The citizenship test has a long history, dating back to the early 1900s. Over the decades, it has evolved in format and content, but always with the goal of ensuring that new citizens possess a foundational understanding of American history and government. The current overhaul, however, has reignited debates about the fairness and accessibility of the process.
During President Trump’s first term, a similar version of this expanded test was implemented, but it was in place for only five months. The Biden administration reverted to the 2008 version, citing concerns that the longer, more complex test could “inadvertently create potential barriers to the naturalization process.” Now, USCIS contends those concerns were unfounded, and the more rigorous test is returning—with some modifications. For example, the agency clarified that only as many questions as necessary will be asked, a shift from the previous all-20-questions rule.
President Trump himself marked the occasion by sending a letter to new Americans. “This rich heritage is now yours to protect, promote and pass down to the next generation,” he wrote. “Our history is now your history… And our Constitution is now yours to safeguard, honor and respect.”
Despite the changes, the pass rate for the citizenship test remains high. Doris Meissner, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute and former director of the U.S. Immigration Service, told Newsweek that the pass rate frequently lands in the low 90 percentiles. She noted, “Whether the test is 100 questions, which it had been before, or 128 questions, the fascinating thing about it is that when the test is given to people who are native born, they do not succeed with good grades in answering the questions on that test. So, it is fair to say that people who are applying for naturalization, and who study—and they study hard—they ultimately pass the test at a very high rate.”
Still, Meissner expressed concern about the tone of the administration’s messaging. “The way in which they're explaining why they're doing this, really casts doubt on people's eligibility,” she said. “It suggests that people applying for naturalization are somehow either not eligible or have questionable intent for naturalizing or it needs to be clearly established, that they will be good Americans. It uses language like 'restoring the integrity of the naturalization process.' There is just not evidence, for decades really, that people who seek naturalization and are able to pass the requirements are in any way misusing the system.”
For those currently in the naturalization pipeline, timing is crucial. USCIS stated that applicants who have already filed, or file within 30 days of the announcement, will take the 2008 test. Those filing after that window will face the new 2025 test, which is expected to be fully implemented in about three months.
As the U.S. embarks on this new chapter in its approach to citizenship, many are watching closely to see how these changes will affect aspiring Americans and the broader national conversation about who gets to call the United States home.
