What was initially just an announcement became an official statement from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The federal agency published a notice in the Federal Register confirming the implementation of a new 2025 naturalization civics test.
This primarily means that more questions are being added to the citizenship test. New screening measures will also apply to residents seeking citizenship, starting October 20.
Those with a citizenship appointment before this date will simply need to follow the old procedure.
Certain exceptions regarding English proficiency requirements remain in place for applicants over 50 years old who have held legal residency in the country for more than 20 years. For this group, the new civics test is mandatory.
“The worst thing our communities could do is be afraid. And automatically assume that the changes close all doors for them. They must understand that they need to prepare better. That free services are available. That there are exceptions for older adults. And most importantly, if they have doubts or minor offenses, they should consult a lawyer. Every case is different,” agreed coalition spokespeople.
Ability to read, write, and speak English
As USCIS explains in a statement, the test evaluates an applicant’s understanding of U.S. history and government. It emphasizes that naturalization is a privilege that allows individuals to become full members of American society, with important rights and responsibilities that all citizens must exercise and respect.
“U.S. citizenship is the most sacred in the world and should be reserved only for those foreigners who fully embrace our nation’s values and principles. By ensuring that only those who meet all eligibility requirements, including the ability to read, write, and speak English, and understand U.S. government and civics, can be naturalized, the American people can be confident that those who join us as fellow citizens will fully integrate and contribute to America’s greatness. These crucial changes are just the first of many,” stated agency spokesperson Matthew Tragesser.
More background checks
USCIS had already announced several changes, including reinstating thorough background investigations for all applicants and stricter reviews of disability exemptions, English proficiency, and civics requirements.
Additionally, officers have been provided with new criteria for evaluating applicants’ good moral character, focusing on positive contributions to American society rather than just the absence of misconduct.
The agency will also resume neighborhood investigations to ensure applicants meet legal requirements and “are deserving of U.S. citizenship.”
As USCIS’s official statement clarifies, “Other recent policies include clarifying that illegal voting, illegal voter registration, and false claims of U.S. citizenship prevent applicants from demonstrating good moral character.”
It is noted that in the coming weeks and months, additional initiatives to strengthen the integrity of the naturalization process will be announced.
More questions
As outlined in the Federal Register, published Thursday, September 18, when the 2020 Naturalization Civics Test was initially implemented during the first Donald Trump administration, a 20-question test was administered, of which applicants had to answer 12 correctly.
This marked a change from the 2008 Naturalization Civics Test, where USCIS administered a 10-question test, and applicants had to answer six correctly.
When implementing the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test, USCIS will resume administering 20-question exams using the same set of 128 questions and answers used for the 2020 Naturalization Civics Test.
The federal government states that it continues to believe that administering a 20-question test is necessary to more thoroughly assess an applicant’s knowledge of U.S. history and government, ensuring each test covers a broader range of topics.
Additionally, based on pilot test data and results, questions and answer choices were edited, and 20 questions were identified for selection as the 10 questions for applicants over 65 with at least 20 years of legal permanent residency.
USCIS offers resources
As explicitly stated in the Federal Register, before implementing the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test, the test, study materials, and educational program resources will be updated and made available for preparation.
This study guide will also include a bank of 128 possible civics test questions, from which 20 questions will be randomly selected for each test, along with the corresponding answers.
USCIS also announces it will temporarily keep the 2008 test version study materials on its website to assist applicants.
How will it be implemented?
The USCIS will implement the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test as follows, according to the Federal Register notice published this week:
- Applicants who have already filed a naturalization application or do so within 30 days of this notice’s publication in the Federal Register will take the 2008 Naturalization Civics Test.
- Those who file a naturalization application 30 days or more after this notice’s publication in the Federal Register will take the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test.
- For applicants qualifying for special consideration due to being 65 or older and having resided in the country as legal permanent residents for at least 20 years, USCIS will continue administering a 10-question test from a specially selected bank of 20 questions from either the 2008 or 2025 Naturalization Civics Test.
- Specifically, applicants who have already filed a naturalization application or do so within 30 days of this notice’s publication in the Federal Register will be given a test with questions from the 2008 Naturalization Civics Test, while those who file 30 days or more after publication will be given a test with questions from the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test.
- Regardless of filing date, these applicants will only need to answer six questions correctly to pass.
- Most legal residents applying and subject to the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test will not face it until at least three months after this notice’s publication in the Federal Register, due to the 30-day delay and interview scheduling timelines.
- USCIS believes the 30-day delay before implementing the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test, along with when an applicant files their naturalization application, provides sufficient time for those seeking citizenship to prepare for the test.
The changes, summarized:
- 75% of the new questions’ content comes from the 2008 Naturalization Civics Test, along with revised or recontextualized material, according to the Federal Register.
- 128 questions will now be the total applicants must study (2025 test version). Previously, there were 100.
- 20 questions will be asked in the oral exam, up from 10.
- 12 out of 20 questions must be answered correctly.
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