Possible Changes to U.S. Citizenship Test by Trump Administration

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Trump Administration Considers Modifications to Citizenship Test

The Trump administration is exploring amendments to the U.S. citizenship test. These alterations might set new educational benchmarks for applicants and grant immigration officials more flexibility in test administration, as indicated by a federal regulatory agenda.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) aims to establish “a framework and a standard” for citizenship education requirements, further enhancing the integrity of the naturalization test according to their proposal. The DHS has also considered permitting third-party administrations of the test, offering more exam conducting flexibility. No details have been provided about the operational aspects of such a system.

Implications of these changes could be significant, affecting hundreds of thousands of applicants annually. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalized 818,500 individuals in fiscal 2024, with nearly 8 million individuals naturalized over the past decade. Data shows an initial test pass rate of 89.7%, which climbs to 94.4% upon reexamination.

Newsweek has requested comments from USCIS outside regular office hours.

Potential Shift in Naturalization Tests

Current statutes necessitate applicants to exhibit basic English proficiency and possess knowledge of U.S. history and government. The DHS noted existing regulations lack specificity in fulfilling educational requirements. The suggested alterations aim to ensure lawful immigrant assimilation and foster a unified American identity connected to the Constitution and U.S. foundational principles.

Douglas S. Pierce, a retired former USCIS supervisor, remarked that third-party testing is not unprecedented. Pierce explained, “The idea of having third-party testing for naturalization is not new. It has been attempted previously, notably during the Citizenship USA initiative in the Clinton era.”

Pierce expressed concerns about insufficient details to assess the proposal’s impact: “There is not enough information in the current announcement to determine what the agency intents to do, other than exploring ways to conduct tests and assess applicant qualifications for naturalization.”

He further noted, “A fair assessment of changes and third-party involvement will have to wait until precise proposals are made.”

Legal and Policy Perspectives

Gabriella Walsh, an immigration attorney, emphasized the proposal’s potential impact. In her LinkedIn post, she stated, “The proposal could significantly alter the naturalization process if implemented. It indicates ongoing adaptation in immigration policy beyond visas and border matters. Even longstanding processes like naturalization remain subject to regulatory updates.”

Changes have been recurrent with the citizenship test. A revised civics exam introduced during Trump’s first term was repealed by the Biden administration, yet USCIS announced in 2025 that a new version based on 2020 changes would be adopted.

Denaturalization Efforts by Trump Administration

These proposed revisions accompany expanded denaturalization initiatives by the Trump administration. The Justice Department recently unveiled its largest-ever coordinated denaturalization effort, seeking citizenship revocation from 25 individuals accused of fraudulently acquiring it.

There has been a notable increase in denaturalization cases during Trump’s second term. The Brennan Center for Justice reported an average of 11 annual cases from 1990 to 2017, rising to approximately 25 during Trump’s first term. TRAC documented at least 15 lawsuits in May and 18 more in early June, revealing 166 cases filed from 2008 to mid-June, post-2025 Justice Department policy change that expanded enforcement priorities.

Next Steps

The DHS is anticipated to disclose a notice of proposed rulemaking by December. While no specifics have been released on educational standards or testing procedures alterations, they noted ongoing assessments of potential costs and benefits. These changes would undergo a public comment period before finalization.