The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the first round of changes to the naturalization civics test as part of a broader overhaul of American citizenship standards.
A notice published in the Federal Register confirmed that the new 2025 test will be implemented to better evaluate applicants’ knowledge of U.S. history and government, in line with statutory requirements.
Naturalization, USCIS emphasized, is not just a legal process but a privilege that grants full membership in American society.
The updated test is designed to ensure that only those who demonstrate a firm understanding of American civics, along with the ability to read, write, and speak English, are eligible for citizenship.
“American citizenship is the most sacred in the world and should be reserved for those who fully embrace our values and principles,” USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser said. “These changes will help guarantee that new citizens are fully assimilated and committed to contributing to America’s greatness. This is just the first step of many.”
In recent months, USCIS has restored robust vetting of applicants, increased scrutiny of disability waivers related to civics and English requirements, and given officers clearer guidelines for assessing “good moral character.”
Under these guidelines, the agency now emphasizes evidence of positive contributions to society, rather than simply an absence of misconduct.
The agency has also resumed neighborhood investigations to confirm that applicants meet statutory criteria.
Additionally, USCIS clarified that unlawful voting, false claims to U.S. citizenship, or fraudulent voter registrations disqualify applicants from naturalization.
More initiatives are expected in the coming months as USCIS continues its multi-step plan to reinforce the integrity of the naturalization process.
