On September 17, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced sweeping changes to the naturalization civics test, marking a significant shift in the nation’s approach to granting citizenship. The new test, set to take effect for applications submitted after mid-October 2025, reinstates the 2020 version that had previously been rolled back by the Biden administration. The move, according to USCIS and the Trump administration, is part of a broader effort to ensure that new citizens are thoroughly versed in American history, government, and values—and that only those who are fully committed to the nation’s principles are welcomed as fellow Americans.
The revised test brings a substantial increase in both scope and rigor. Applicants must now study a pool of 128 questions, up from the previous 100, and be prepared to answer 20 questions on U.S. history, politics, and institutions during their interview. To pass, at least 12 answers must be correct, a bar that remains unchanged from the 2020 iteration but is double the requirement from the 2008 version, which only asked for six correct out of ten. The test is oral, not multiple choice, and many questions allow for several acceptable responses, according to reporting by Keystone-SDA and KSNW.
“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,” said USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser in a statement widely cited across outlets. He continued, “By ensuring only those aliens who meet all eligibility requirements, including the ability to read, write, and speak English and understand US 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.” Tragesser also hinted that these changes are only the beginning: “These critical changes are the first of many.”
Beyond the expanded civics component, the Trump administration is introducing a more comprehensive vetting process for applicants. This includes stricter reviews of requests for disability exceptions to English language or civics requirements and renewed emphasis on the “good moral character” requirement. Officers have been directed to look for positive contributions to American society, rather than simply the absence of bad behavior. In a move that echoes earlier eras of immigration scrutiny, USCIS is resuming neighborhood investigations—sending agents to interview neighbors and co-workers to assess whether applicants meet statutory requirements and are “worthy of U.S. citizenship,” as reported by KSNW and CBS News.
Applicants must still demonstrate proficiency in English and a basic understanding of U.S. history and government, but the new guidelines mean that how these requirements are interpreted can shift depending on the administration’s political priorities. As Keystone-SDA noted, “how these requirements are interpreted can vary depending on the government’s political line.” The Trump administration has made clear its intention to tighten these standards further, with plans to expand scrutiny of applicants’ backgrounds, including their social media activity and even probing for so-called “anti-American” views.
Some of the new questions added to the civics test reflect a deeper dive into the nation’s foundational documents and figures. Topics now include the 10th Amendment, the Federalist Papers, former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Founding Fathers Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, and examples of American innovation. Sample questions released by USCIS include: “Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does,” “Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s,” “Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one,” “Why did the United States enter World War I?” and “Name one example of an American innovation.”
Despite the increased complexity, the structure of the test remains similar to previous versions. It is administered orally, and applicants have two chances to pass. If they fail both attempts, their application for citizenship is denied. According to USCIS, more than 94% of applicants passed the test during the 2024 fiscal year, a statistic that suggests most prospective citizens have managed to meet the requirements under previous, less stringent standards.
Not all applicants face the same hurdles. Those aged 50 or older who have been lawful permanent residents for at least 20 years, and those 65 or older with 20 or more years in the U.S., may take a shorter version of the test—studying only 20 questions—and can do so in their preferred language. This exception, however, is limited and does not apply to most applicants.
The reaction to these changes has been sharply divided. Supporters, including administration officials and some segments of the public, argue that the stricter test and enhanced vetting are necessary to ensure that new citizens are genuinely committed to American ideals and will contribute positively to society. “By ensuring only those aliens who meet all eligibility requirements... 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,” Tragesser reiterated in multiple outlets.
However, pro-immigrant advocates and critics see the new rules as an unnecessary barrier that could keep deserving residents from attaining the security and rights of citizenship. Jennifer Ibañez Whitlock, a senior policy counsel at the National Immigration Law Center, expressed concern, stating, “All this does is make it harder for long-time residents who contribute to this country every day to finally achieve the permanent protections that only U.S. citizenship can offer.” According to CBS News, advocates warn that the expanded pool of questions and tougher vetting could disproportionately affect older immigrants, those with limited English proficiency, and applicants from marginalized backgrounds.
These changes are part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to restrict access to legal immigration benefits, including green cards and work permits. Since President Trump began his second term, USCIS has aggressively expanded vetting procedures, including placing a higher emphasis on social media activity and instructing officers to probe for “anti-American” views and activities. A memo issued earlier this year directed officers to scrutinize applicants’ backgrounds more closely, including their online presence and the company they keep.
For those who filed their citizenship applications before mid-October 2025, the previous procedure and requirements will still apply. But for the thousands of hopeful immigrants preparing for the next phase, the landscape has clearly shifted. The new test and accompanying policies reflect a vision of American identity that is both more demanding and, some would argue, more exclusive.
As the U.S. continues to debate the meaning and value of citizenship, the latest changes to the naturalization process stand as a stark reminder: the path to becoming an American is shaped as much by shifting political winds as by the enduring principles enshrined in the nation’s founding documents.
