The U.S. citizenship test is headed for a major overhaul under the leadership of Joseph Edlow, newly appointed director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Echoing policies from President Donald Trump’s first term, Edlow is pushing for a more rigorous exam that he says better reflects American values and governance.
Currently, applicants must correctly answer six out of ten civics questions drawn from a pool of 100 provided in advance. Edlow has called this format overly simplistic, promoting memorization rather than meaningful civic education. The proposed revision may reinstate a version briefly used in 2020, which required answering 12 out of 20 questions correctly.
Supporters argue the change would strengthen understanding of U.S. history and government, but critics warn it could disproportionately impact immigrants with limited English proficiency, seniors, refugees, and people with disabilities. A 2022 pilot program testing multiple-choice questions and an image-based English speaking component drew over 1,300 public comments before being shelved in 2024.
H-1B Visa Program Targeted for Reform
The Trump administration is also pursuing sweeping changes to the H-1B visa program. Edlow announced in July that the Department of Homeland Security has submitted a proposed rule to the Office of Management and Budget that would shift the current random lottery selection process to a weighted system favoring higher-wage applicants.
The goal, according to Edlow, is to ensure the program supports American workers by discouraging companies from hiring foreign labor at lower wages. “It absolutely should be a net positive for our economy,” he said in a recent interview with The New York Times.
Under current rules, 85,000 H-1B visas are issued annually. The proposed changes would prioritize companies offering higher salaries and targeting highly skilled foreign professionals, aiming to curb what critics call misuse of the system to undercut domestic wages.
Unlikely Alliances and Growing Pushback
The proposed reforms have united unusual allies. Tech industry leaders such as Elon Musk—who previously defended the H-1B program—now support reforming it. In contrast, Senator Bernie Sanders, a longtime critic of the program, finds himself aligned with President Trump on the issue. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance has argued the system too often allows companies to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor.
Immigration advocates and business leaders are already raising concerns. Doug Rand, a former Biden administration official, has questioned whether a wage-based selection process is even legal, arguing it could undermine the program’s original intent to attract skilled graduates.
The proposals must still navigate the federal rulemaking process, which includes public comment and potential legal challenges. While no lawsuits have been filed yet, legal experts expect any final rule to face tough scrutiny in court.
