The US government is making significant changes to the naturalization process, reinstating a harder version of the citizenship test that will pose greater challenges for prospective citizens. Beginning 20 October 2025, those applying for US citizenship will face a more complex examination, raising concerns about its impact on immigrants already contributing to American society.
The move is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to tighten legal immigration procedures. It echoes a similar test implemented in 2020, which the Biden administration scrapped shortly after taking office.
With the updated test, applicants will now have to answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly, an increase from the previous requirement of 6 out of 10. Critics argue that the revised test will create unnecessary barriers, particularly for long-term residents with limited English proficiency.
Increased Difficulty in Citizenship Requirements
The revamped civics test introduces 28 additional questions, making the total pool of questions 128. Applicants will need to demonstrate a more comprehensive understanding of US history, politics, and society.
Instead of the previous test’s simpler factual recall, the new questions often probe deeper, requiring applicants to explain the “why” and “how” behind pivotal aspects of American life. For example, applicants will now need to explain the reasons behind historical events, such as the US’s involvement in the Vietnam War, rather than simply memorizing dates or names.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) insists that these changes will better ensure new citizens are “fully assimilated” into American culture. Matthew Tragesser, a USCIS spokesperson, stated that the revisions will help ensure that new citizens contribute positively to America’s future. “These critical changes are the first of many,” he added, underscoring the administration’s broader push to revamp the immigration process.
Immigrant Advocates Express Concern Over New Hurdles
However, the revision has drawn criticism from immigrant advocacy groups, which argue that the changes will make the process even more difficult for those who have already established their lives in the US. According to Jennifer Ibañez Whitlock, senior policy counsel at the National Immigration Law Center, “All this does is make it harder for longtime residents who contribute to this country every day to finally achieve the permanent protections that only U.S. citizenship can offer.”
Many fear that the more complex questions and expanded test will disadvantage applicants with lower English proficiency or those who have spent decades in the US, but may not be well-versed in US history or political theory. These groups argue that the changes represent an additional layer of bureaucracy in an already challenging process, one that could further marginalize immigrants seeking to formally integrate into American society.
