US to Toughen Citizenship Test as Trump Pushes New Naturalisation Standards

The Trump administration is preparing changes to the US citizenship test that would introduce new educational standards for naturalisation and give officials greater control over how the exam is conducted.

The proposal, outlined in the Department of Homeland Security's regulatory agenda, would create a formal framework for citizenship education. It would also allow greater flexibility in administering the test as part of the administration's efforts to strengthen assimilation and promote what it describes as a unified American identity based on constitutional principles. 

DHS has also indicated that third parties could be authorised to administer the exam, although it has not explained how such a system would work. The proposed changes could affect a large number of future applicants. 

In the 2024 fiscal year, US Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalised more than 818,000 people, while almost eight million immigrants became US citizens over the past decade. At present, applicants must show basic English language skills and a working knowledge of American history and government. 

Around 90 per cent pass the test on their first attempt, with the success rate rising to more than 94 per cent after a second attempt. Immigration lawyer Gabriella Walsh said the proposal could "significantly change" the naturalisation process.

She said it reflects how immigration policy continues to evolve beyond border security and visa rules, with changes also affecting the path to citizenship. The citizenship test has been revised several times in recent years. 

A civics exam introduced during President Donald Trump's first term was later replaced by the Biden administration, which restored the previous version. In 2025, USCIS announced plans to introduce a new test that would include elements of the 2020 version. The latest proposal marks another step in the continuing debate over how civic knowledge and commitment should be assessed.

The proposal comes as the administration increases efforts to revoke citizenship obtained through fraud. Earlier this week, the Justice Department announced what it described as the largest coordinated denaturalisation operation in US history, targeting 25 people accused of hiding unlawful conduct during their citizenship applications.

Federal figures show denaturalisation cases increased from an average of 11 each year before 2017 to about 25 annually during Trump's first term. The number has risen further since a 2025 policy expanded enforcement priorities. DHS is expected to publish a formal notice of proposed rulemaking in December, allowing the public to comment before any final changes are introduced.