The Trump administration is planning a major overhaul of the U.S. citizenship test, with officials calling the current version “too easy” and too reliant on memorization. The move is part of a broader immigration policy shift that also includes proposed changes to the H-1B visa system.
Joseph Edlow, Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), said the existing naturalization exam doesn’t meet the “spirit of the law,” arguing it can be passed with rote memorization. “It’s very easy to memorize the answers. I don’t think we’re really fulfilling the intent behind the test,” he told The New York Times.
The civics portion of the exam was standardized in 2008 under President George W. Bush. Applicants must correctly answer 6 out of 10 questions chosen from a list of 100. During President Trump’s first term, the test was expanded to 128 possible questions, with a new requirement of 12 correct answers out of 20. The Biden administration reversed that change in 2021, restoring the original format.
Now, USCIS is preparing to bring back a tougher version similar to the one introduced in 2020. Edlow emphasized that the change would better reflect American values and help ensure that new citizens are more deeply informed.
“If people are coming here to advance U.S. economic interests and contribute to the national good, we owe it to ourselves to make sure the process is rigorous and meaningful,” he said.
H-1B Visa Reforms Also in the Works
USCIS is also targeting the H-1B visa program—used to hire skilled foreign workers—for reform. The current lottery system, which randomly selects recipients from a pool of applicants, may soon be replaced by a weighted system that favors employers offering higher wages.
“The idea is to prioritize highly skilled talent without undercutting American workers,” Edlow said. “It should supplement—not supplant—the U.S. economy and workforce.”
Critics have long argued that some companies misuse the H-1B program to hire foreign workers at lower wages. Edlow acknowledged these concerns and said the new model would reward companies that invest more in foreign talent.
The USCIS has not yet set a date for the new citizenship test rollout, but Edlow indicated the changes are a top priority. The agency has not responded to media requests for additional comment.
