The U.S. government confirmed its intention to implement changes to the citizenship test and the H-1B visa selection process—key tools in the nation’s immigration system.
According to statements from Joseph Edlow, director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the current test used to obtain citizenship is “too simple,” while the visa program requires adjustments to prioritize applicants with higher salaries.
Edlow, quoted by The New York Times, argued that the exam fails to measure applicants’ real civic knowledge. “I feel that the citizenship test isn’t very difficult right now; it allows immigrants seeking naturalization to easily memorize the questions and answers,” explained the USCIS director. For Edlow, this strays from the law’s original intent.
Citizenship Test
The citizenship test was standardized in 2008 during the presidency of George W. Bush. Since then, candidates have been required to answer six out of ten questions correctly, selected from a list of 100. In the most recent period, the number of questions increased to 128, and the required number of correct answers rose to 12 out of 20.
However, the following administration reversed those changes in 2021 after receiving critical feedback and identifying limitations in the test’s difficulty and relevance. A subsequent redesign was canceled in 2024 following negative public evaluations.
The current national government is considering reverting to a format similar to the one used in 2020. Edlow made it clear that the goal is to prevent the naturalization process from relying solely on memorizing answers, instead promoting a more rigorous approach to assessing fundamental civic knowledge.
The workforce is also a priority for the U.S. government.
Authorities aim to adjust the H-1B visa program, primarily used by foreign skilled workers in technology and scientific sectors.
The program has been controversial due to allegations that some companies prefer foreign employees with lower salary offers than those for domestic workers.
According to Edlow, the H-1B should “complement, not replace, the U.S. economy, businesses, and workers.” He emphasized the need for the system to support companies willing to offer higher wages rather than serving as a way to hire foreign labor at lower costs.
Currently, H-1B beneficiaries are selected through a random lottery. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees USCIS, is evaluating the possibility of replacing this method with a weighted system that prioritizes applicants with higher salary offers and relevant experience.
In 2024, the Institute for Progress, an independent think tank, proposed eliminating the lottery, arguing that prioritizing salaries or experience could increase the H-1B program’s economic impact by 88%.
These proposals have sparked debate among academic experts and business sector advocates.
David Bier, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, warned that “allocating H-1B visas solely to the highest offers would favor older workers who might retire or leave the country, while eliminating the primary pathway for college graduates to stay in the U.S.” Bier also questioned the official view of the citizenship test: “Most Americans wouldn’t pass that test.”
Meanwhile, Connor O’Brien, a researcher at the Economic Innovation Group, stated, “The H-1B is the main tool for attracting skilled talent, and with only 85,000 visas available annually, awarding them through a random lottery represents a missed opportunity to bring in needed professionals who would benefit companies and communities in the U.S.”
While some public opinion favors limiting immigration in favor of a more nationalist labor policy, Edlow argued that well-managed immigration can enhance the country’s competitiveness.
“It must be net positive, and if we consider those who come to drive economic agendas or benefit the national interest, that’s precisely what we should focus on,” said the USCIS director.
The U.S. government requires approval from other federal agencies and, in several areas, congressional support to advance these reforms. Currently, lawmakers are reviewing bipartisan initiatives to update the legal framework governing immigration in the country.
Image: Infobae
