What's Happening?
The Trump administration has announced the reinstatement of a more challenging citizenship test, part of its efforts to tighten legal pathways for settling in the United States. The revised test, which will be administered to applicants filing on or after October 20, includes more complex questions than the current version. Applicants will need to answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly, compared to the previous requirement of six out of 10. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) states that the changes aim to ensure new citizens are fully assimilated and contribute to America's greatness.
Why It's Important?
The reinstatement of a more difficult citizenship test reflects the Trump administration's broader immigration policy goals, emphasizing assimilation and contribution to American society. This move could impact the hundreds of thousands of individuals seeking U.S. citizenship each year, potentially making the process more challenging for applicants. The policy change may influence public discourse on immigration and citizenship, affecting stakeholders such as immigrant communities, advocacy groups, and policymakers.
What's Next?
The new citizenship test will be implemented for applications filed on or after October 20. USCIS may introduce additional changes to the citizenship process as part of the administration's ongoing efforts to reform immigration policies. The impact of the revised test on citizenship application rates and success may be closely monitored by immigration advocates and policymakers, potentially leading to further discussions or adjustments in policy.