Trump Administration Eyes New Naturalization Testing Rules
The administration is weighing new citizenship testing standards and third-party exams as part of a proposed naturalization rule.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is contemplating revisions to the naturalization testing process, as outlined in a federal regulatory agenda. The changes could introduce new educational benchmarks and provide immigration officials with greater discretion in administering the exam, according to the DHS proposal. The Department of Homeland Security aims to refine the citizenship education standards and bolster the integrity of the naturalization test.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is also evaluating the possibility of allowing third-party entities to administer the naturalization test, a move intended to offer additional flexibility in conducting the exams, as per the DHS proposal. However, the agenda entry lacks further specifics on the operational details of this system.
The proposal could potentially impact hundreds of thousands of citizenship applicants annually. The current naturalization process mandates applicants to exhibit proficiency in reading, writing, speaking basic English, and demonstrate knowledge of U.S. history and government. The DHS has noted that existing regulations do not specify how aliens should fulfill these educational prerequisites.
The proposed modifications are intended to ensure the appropriate assimilation of lawful immigrants into the United States and foster a cohesive American identity rooted in the Constitution and the founding principles of the country. A former USCIS supervisor, Douglas S. Pierce, mentioned that the idea of third-party testing for naturalization has been attempted before, notably during the Clinton administration's Citizenship USA initiative.
Pierce cautioned that the Trump administration has not provided sufficient information to gauge the potential impact of this proposal. A full assessment of the anticipated changes and the criteria for third-party testers remains pending until the exact modifications are formally proposed. Gabriella Walsh, an immigration attorney, expressed that the proposal could substantially alter the naturalization procedure if enacted.
This announcement underscores the ongoing evolution of immigration policy beyond visa and border enforcement matters. The move represents the latest alteration to the citizenship test, following a prior attempt during Trump's first term that was subsequently abandoned by the Biden administration. However, USCIS announced in 2025 that it would adopt a revised version incorporating the 2020 modifications.
This proposal comes amid the Trump administration's intensified denaturalization efforts, which include the largest coordinated denaturalization campaign in its history, targeting 25 naturalized Americans accused of obtaining citizenship through fraudulent means. Denaturalization cases have risen during Trump's second term, with the Justice Department initiating an average of 11 cases annually between 1990 and 2017, escalating to roughly 25 cases per year under the Trump administration.
Recent data from TRAC reveals at least 15 denaturalization lawsuits filed in May and 18 more in the first half of June, reflecting a surge in filings following a 2025 Justice Department policy shift that broadened enforcement priorities. The DHS is anticipated to release a notice of proposed rulemaking in December, though the specifics of the proposed changes, their potential costs, and benefits, and the subsequent public comment period remain undisclosed.
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