Is the U.S. Citizenship Test Getting Tougher? Fact vs. Fiction

Recent social media buzz suggests that the U.S. citizenship test will become more difficult, making it harder for aspiring immigrants to become citizens. While there is truth to this, it’s important to separate fact from fiction. So, what’s actually happening?

The Reality of the Plan

It’s true that the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) is reviewing a plan to toughen the test, but this isn’t a completely new initiative. The proposed changes are a re-evaluation of a previous test version introduced during the Trump administration in 2020 and later rescinded by the Biden administration. Furthermore, the claim that Joseph Edlow, the former acting director of the USCIS, is the current leader driving this change is incorrect; he left his post in 2021.

What Are the Expected Changes?

The current test consists of 10 questions, but the new version would likely be a more comprehensive, 20-question exam. Instead of needing 6 correct answers, candidates would need 12 to pass. The most significant change, however, would be the introduction of a new spoken English test. This would require applicants to describe images and talk about everyday situations, aiming to assess real-world language skills rather than just memorised answers.

Goals and Criticisms

The USCIS states that the new test is designed to ensure future citizens have a deeper understanding of U.S. society and government. However, critics argue that this move could disproportionately affect those with lower levels of education, elderly immigrants, and refugees who may struggle with reading, writing, and more complex language skills.

While it’s true that the U.S. citizenship test is expected to become more challenging, the specifics of the new test and its implementation date are not yet finalised. The goal is to measure a deeper understanding of U.S. civics, but this could present new hurdles for vulnerable groups.

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Source: USCIS

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