Saturday, March 29, 2025
The Trump administration has announced the reintroduction of a tougher U.S. citizenship test, reviving a system that was rolled back under President Joe Biden. The move is part of Trump’s broader push to make the immigration process stricter.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the revised test will apply to applicants from late October 2025 onward. A Federal Register notice confirmed that the new civics test will once again be mandatory for anyone applying for U.S. naturalization.
Study Material: Applicants will now need to study 128 questions covering U.S. history, government, and political system.
Test Format: During the interview, they will be asked 20 oral questions and must answer at least 12 correctly to pass.
Previous System: Under the 2008 version, candidates studied 100 questions and needed to answer 6 out of 10 correctly.
No Multiple Choice: The questions are asked orally and do not have multiple-choice options. Most questions allow for several acceptable answers.
Those who fail get one retest opportunity. If they fail again, their citizenship application is denied.
Special provisions exist for older immigrants:
Applicants aged 65 or above who have lived in the U.S. as permanent residents for 20+ years will only need to study 20 questions and may take the test in their native language.
The Trump-era test adds more detailed questions on:
The 10th Amendment
Federalist Papers
Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Founding Fathers Alexander Hamilton and James Madison
Examples of American innovation
Trump’s Position: Home Office officials argue the test ensures only those who truly understand U.S. values, history, and governance can become citizens.
Biden’s Position: The Biden administration scrapped the expanded test earlier, calling the extra questions unnecessary obstacles for legal immigrants seeking citizenship.
USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser emphasized:
“American citizenship is the most sacred citizenship in the world, and it should only be reserved for those who fully embrace our nation’s values and principles.”
