Immigrants hold American flags at a naturalization ceremony, as USCIS considers making the U.S. citizenship test more difficult for future applicants.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced plans to make the naturalization test more difficult in the coming months.

The naturalization test consists of two parts: a civics exam and an English proficiency test.

The English portion of the test can be waived or reduced significantly in the case of long-term residents and senior citizens. 

For the civics exam, applicants currently must correctly answer 6 out of 10 civics questions from a set of 100. 

Under the proposed changes, USCIS would bring back a version of the exam first introduced in late 2020, requiring applicants to answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly, with the total number of questions expanded to 128. 

Many of the additional questions would demand more detailed historical and governmental knowledge, raising concerns about fairness and accessibility.

For example, a little over half of the questions (72 questions) would cover the U.S. government, while the rest of the questions would test the applicant's knowledge of American history, symbols, and holidays.

The new test would create additional obstacles for applicants, especially for those without a strong command of English or who already “struggle” with certain legal terms in the current test. 

The good news is that, for now, the change has not yet taken effect. But it is important for applicants to stay informed.

If you are eligible for naturalization, this may be a good time to consider applying under the current rules.

Need guidance? Our office is available to answer your questions about the naturalization process, evaluate your eligibility, and help you through the whole process.

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult a qualified immigration attorney.