Tightened citizenship test reinstated by the United States government
The United States government, under President Donald Trump, has announced a significant change in the process of obtaining American citizenship. Starting from mid-October 2025, the criteria will become more stringent, including a revised naturalization test with a larger number of questions and higher passing requirements.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency responsible for citizenship, announced the change. President Trump, during his second term, announced his intention to tighten the requirements for future citizens.
The new naturalization test will consist of up to 20 questions from a catalog of 128 about U.S. history, politics, and institutions. To pass, applicants will need to get at least 12 questions right, a higher bar compared to the current test which consisted of 100 questions, with 10 asked, and six correct answers sufficient.
In addition to knowledge and English proficiency, U.S. citizenship requires demonstrating 'good moral character'. The changes in the interpretation of this standard are part of a broader process to update these standards for U.S. citizenship. More emphasis will now be placed on demonstrating positive contributions to society when assessing 'good moral character'.
The applicant's personal environment may also be considered in the assessment of 'good moral character'. This could include their associations, employment history, and any criminal records. It's important to note that the interpretation of 'good moral character' standards may vary depending on the political line of the government.
Applications submitted before mid-October 2025 will still be processed under the current procedure. The tougher test will apply only to applications submitted from that date onwards. The USCIS refers to these changes as 'initial changes' in a multi-stage process to update these standards.
It's worth mentioning that these changes were previously introduced under Trump but were reversed in 2021 by his Democratic successor, Joe Biden. However, they are now set to be reinstated.
This move is expected to have a significant impact on the process of obtaining American citizenship, making it more challenging for applicants. The exact implications of these changes are yet to be seen, but they underscore the ongoing efforts to shape the immigration landscape in the United States.
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