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The Trump administration has announced sweeping changes to the U.S. citizenship process, introducing a tougher civics test that critics say will make naturalization harder for immigrants already contributing to American society.
The updated test would expand the number of potential questions from 100 to 128 and require applicants to answer 12 out of 20 correctly to pass. Currently, applicants must answer six out of 10 questions correctly. The move mirrors a short-lived 2020 version of the test introduced under Trump’s first term, which was rolled back by the Biden administration in 2021.
Officials said the new version will “better assess an alien’s understanding of U.S. history, government, and the English language,” while ensuring that “traditional American culture and values are protected.” The Department of Homeland Security said the overhaul is part of a multi-step plan to make sure prospective citizens are fully committed to the “American way of life.”
The announcement comes amid broader immigration crackdowns, including Trump’s pledge to carry out the largest mass deportation in U.S. history and expanded vetting of immigrants’ “moral character,” community ties, and social media activity.
Immigration advocates condemned the change, calling it an unnecessary barrier. They argue the policy is designed to block legal immigrants from achieving citizenship, while also aligning naturalization with conservative ideology.
“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,” said one immigration rights lawyer.
The shift follows other controversial measures, such as enhanced neighborhood interviews of applicants and checks to ensure they have never unlawfully voted. Critics say these policies, along with recent immigration raids and racial profiling rulings from the Supreme Court, reflect a broader attempt to weaponize immigration enforcement.
When the Biden administration reversed Trump’s earlier test, it emphasized that the 2008 version had been developed with input from more than 150 organizations, educators, and historians, ensuring fairness and accessibility — especially for those learning English as a second language.
Advocates warn that reinstating the harder test will once again put naturalization out of reach for many immigrants who have lived, worked, and raised families in the U.S. for years.
